In January 2008 the Council's Cabinet approved the introduction of a food hygiene 'Scores on the Doors' scheme for food businesses which the District. The aim of the scheme is to improve food hygiene standards by providing consumers with easy to understand information about how well the business performed in terms of hygiene, it's structural condition and its overall performance in complying with food hygiene law.

The scheme, which is currently being operated across Cambridgeshire, and by many Council's in the UK, allows businesses to achieve a maximum of 5 stars. Businesses will be given a certificate to display in their premises which shows the number of star awarded and all the star ratings will be available through the Council's website. It is voluntary for the businesses to display the certificate but if it is displayed then it must be seen from outside the premises, i.e. on the front door or window.

There are approximately 500 food businesses in Fenland that will be subject to the scheme. Any food premises inspected after 1st April 2007 will receive a star rating. As premises are inspected in the future, a star rating is awarded.

Select the link to the food score website to view an up to date list of star ratings

What are the benefits to the public?

The main aim of the scheme is raise the standards of food safety for consumers. The scheme gives the public the opportunity to make informed choices about where they choose to eat or buy food, taking account of food hygiene standards. They also have access to information they are legally entitled to receive in a format they understand.

What are the benefits to the business?

The scheme serves as a good advertisement for high standards of hygiene, which in turn may improve their business and reward them for their effort. Theratings awarded to the business can be used in any advertising or promotional activities.

How are the star ratings decided?

When assessing the star rating of a business, three topics are considered, these are:

1. Current level of compliance (food hygiene);
2. Current level of compliance (structure); and
3. Confidence in the management and control systems.

The range of star ratings is given below:

	Excellent Hygiene	Very high standard of compliance with food hygiene legislation and very high confidence in management.
	Very good Hygiene	High standard of compliance with food hygiene legislation and high confidence in the management
	Good Hygiene	Good standard of compliance with food hygiene legislation and good confidence in the management
	Satisfactory Hygiene	The food business is generally complying with food hygiene legislation
	Poor Hygiene	Some non-compliance with food legislation. Some confidence in management. More effort required to prevent fall in standards.
0 Stars	Major improvements required	Some major non-compliance with food legislation and follow up visit is likely.

The 'scores on the doors' system is intended to reflect the hygiene conditions at the time of the last routine inspection, therefore the standards may have gone up or down since. The star rating will remain with a business until their next routine inspections, which could be two years away.

We will be backdating some of the ratings from the previous inspections, therefore only routine inspections carried out after the 1st April 2007 will be awarded a star rating.

If you wish to make comments on the scheme please put them in writing to the Food and Safety Manager, Food and Safety Team, Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 8NQ or email your comments to foodscores@fenland.gov.uk