Scores on the Doors: Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
FAQs for Food Business Operators

Will I get a certificate?

If you are a “caterer” or a “manufacturer selling mainly by retail” as defined by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in their Code of Practice: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/codeofpracticeeng.pdf then you will receive an A5 certificate one week before the launch on the scheme on 21st March 2007. Low risk establishments (e.g. shops and bars only selling pre-packaged food) and manufacturers that do not have customers that visit the premises will not be asked to display a certificate.

Where should I display my rating certificate?

The best place to display the certificate is in the shop window or the main access door so the public can use the information to decide where to eat. The certificate will come in a display sleeve which is adhesive on one side, and transparent on both sides. It can therefore be attached to glass or non-transparent surfaces.

What is the rating based on?

The star rating will be based on the sum of the numeric scores for:

For more information on how these scores are derived, see page 134 of the FSA’s Code of Practice: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/codeofpracticeeng.pdf

How can I improve my rating?

Most inspections are followed up by a letter or notice that stipulates areas of improvement. These may be legal requirements or recommendations. By implementing these you will have improved on your practices and therefore your score is likely to improve at the next primary (routine) inspection. If you would like further information on how to improve on your rating, please contact an officer from this department to discuss. Your first point of contact should be the last inspecting officer.

When will the rating change?

The scoring will only be carried out at the time of the primary (routine) inspection and this is the score that will be publicised on the Internet and on the certificate (where appropriate). No subsequent visits will be undertaken with a view to modifying the scores given, or re-scoring premises even if remedial works have been completed. The score will stand until the next primary (routine) inspection is carried out.

The exception to the above is where an officer discover serious hygiene defects in a premises that previously scored well, the next primary inspection may be brought forward (as per Section 4 chapter 4.1.7 of the Food Law Code of Practice). If at this new primary inspection the score indicates that the premises should receive fewer stars then the record will be updated with the amended score posted on the Internet.

Can I appeal my rating?

There will be no revisits undertaken with the purpose of reviewing the scores given. However, should you have grounds for believing that the score given does not accurately reflect the conditions found at the time of the inspection, you may lodge an appeal. This should be put in writing and addressed to the Environmental Health Manager, Jubilee Stores, The Quay, Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2EH. The scores given will then be reviewed by a Senior Environmental Health Practitioner in order to establish if they are fair. Consistency exercises have been run long in advance of the launch of the publication scheme. Officers’ scoring is routinely checked for quality and accompanied visits take place in order to maintain consistency.