Sunday 5 July 2009

Scores on the Doors

scores on the doors

It is very important that all food businesses obey the law and supply food that is safe to eat. Consumers in certain areas can already see how well a food business in their area complies with food hygiene regulations through 'scores on the doors' schemes run by their local authority.

The Agency is planning to introduce a national scheme so that consumers across the UK can obtain information on businesses in their areas.

You can read the latest updates on the scheme at the links below.

The primary purpose of these 'scores on the doors' schemes is to empower consumers so that they make more informed choices about the places from which they purchase food.

Local authority enforcement officers are responsible for inspecting food businesses to ensure that they meet the legal requirements on food hygiene. Under the 'scores on the doors' scheme, each food outlet is given a score that reflects the inspection findings and may display this at the point of sale. The score is also available via a website where consumers can see the scores for all the businesses in the local area.

Experience with these schemes suggests that as well as providing information to consumers, they can encourage businesses to raise their hygiene standards.

You can find out more about the different local schemes across the UK and whether one is running in your area by clicking on the map below.

Regional map

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

South East

South West

East Counties

East Midlands

West Midlands

Yorkshire and The Humber

North West

North East

London

Local schemes

The Agency has supported a number of local authorities across the UK to participate in a variety of pilot schemes. Some other local authorities have also introduced schemes independently of the Agency in response to local needs.

To get a broad consistency between local schemes, the following 'principles' were jointly adopted by the Agency and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS). These provide a framework for the development of new 'scores on the doors' schemes and the operation of existing schemes:

Businesses and consumers should be consulted on the details of the scheme before it is launched.
Local authorities should bear in mind that schemes are generally based on food hygiene and safety procedures, structure and confidence in management elements of the Code of Practice.
Scoring systems should be open, transparent and simple to understand, and accurately reflect the standards of compliance within the business.
Clear explanation of scoring schemes and associated bandings should be provided to members of the public.
Every effort should be made to ensure scoring within a particular scheme is as consistent as possible.
A mechanism should be put in place to inform businesses about the relevant complaints procedures.
Local authorities should actively seek to obtain business co-operation in displaying score certificates on the premises.
There should be an ongoing commitment to keep the public informed about the general outcomes of the scheme.
Discussions with software providers should include the need for flexibility, and the extent to which any scheme proposed or operated now could be amended to fit in with a national scheme at a later date.

Towards a national scheme

In our Strategic Plan to 2010, we made a commitment to make a recommendation for a national scheme by the end of 2008. In order to develop that recommendation, we have undertaken a formal evaluation of the different types of local schemes currently operating across the UK to assess how well they work. See the evaluation reports at the links towards the end of this page.

The Agency’s Board considered the evaluation findings on 12 March 2008. The Board paper can be found at the link towards the end of this page. The Board concluded that a UK-wide scheme was desirable, and decided to consult on two options for the design of this scheme. See the consultations for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the links towards the end of this page.

Who can I contact for more information?

In England:
Gwen Aherne
tel: 020 7276 8445
email: gwen.aherne@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

In Scotland:
Pauline Wilkinson
tel: 01224 285140
email: Pauline.Wilkinson@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

In Wales:
Rob Wilkins
tel: 02920 678957
email: Rob.Wilkins@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

In Northern Ireland:
Michael Jackson
tel: 028 9041 7709
email: Michael.Jackson@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Find out more

FSA Scores on the Doors pilot schemes

The Agency has sponsored a number of local authorities across the UK to participate in a variety of pilot schemes.

Scores on the Doors in England

On this page you will find links to the local authorities in England that are currently publishing hygiene scores on their website, including those that are part of the Agency's pilots. This page will be updated to reflect the latest situation.

Scores on the Doors in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland a number of District Councils are currently operating Scores on the Doors schemes and some of these are Agency pilot schemes.

Scores on the Doors in Wales

In Wales two local authorities are currently operating Scores on the Doors schemes and one of these is an Agency pilot scheme.

FSA/LACORS principles for independent 'scores on the doors' schemes

The FSA/LACORS 'principles' have been revised following the FSA Board meeting in December 2008, when decisions were made regarding the national schemes. The agreed principles are still relevant to independently operated schemes.

Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Scotland

Scottish consumers can see how well food businesses in their area have fared in their last food hygiene inspection. The Food Hygiene Information Scheme effectively 'opens the door' to the kitchen and/or food areas. This will increase consumer confidence and help people make informed choices about where they eat or buy their food.

Scores on the doors correspondence

The Agency has written to interested parties to keep them informed of progress on Scores on the doors.

UK-Wide Scores on the Doors Steering Group

At its meeting on 10 December 2008, the Agency's Board decided that a six-tier national scores on the doors (SotD) scheme should be established in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and that a two-tier scheme should continue in Scotland. The Board agreed that a UK-wide Steering Group should be established to provide advice and guidance on the development of the schemes.

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Scores on the Doors

Local schemes

Towards a national scheme

Who can I contact for more information?

Related links

Find out more

FSA Scores on the Doors pilot schemes

Scores on the Doors in England

Scores on the Doors in Northern Ireland

Scores on the Doors in Wales

FSA/LACORS principles for independent 'scores on the doors' schemes

Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Scotland

Scores on the doors correspondence

UK-Wide Scores on the Doors Steering Group

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