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Introduction
How are the ratings derived
Frequently Asked Questions Appeals Information

View The Scores
Environmental Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a certificate?

Where should I display my rating certificate?

What is the rating based on?

How can I improve my rating?

When will the rating change?

When will I find out my new food hygiene star rating?

I’ve lost my certificate/display wallet; can I have a replacement?

I have recently bought/established a food business: how will the scheme affect me?

Can I appeal my rating?

I have registered change of ownership of my business as a result of a routine inspection: how will the scheme affect me?

I have recently bought/established a food business: how will the scheme affect me?

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 (see link below) 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 prominently on the front of the premises so that it can be seen from the outside as entering (e.g. on or adjacent to the main entrance door).The certificate will come in a display wallet 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: • Level of legal compliance: Food Hygiene and Safety • Level of legal compliance: The structure of the premises • Confidence in management/control systems The score bands for the star awards will be as follows: 0 to 5 5 Stars 10 to 15 4 Stars 20 to 25 3 Stars 30 2 Stars 45 to 40 1 Star >40 No Stars For more information on how these scores are derived, see page 134 of the FSA’s Code of Practice

How can I improve my rating?
Most inspections are followed up by a letter or notice that stipulates areas that could be improved. 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 (for caterers). At the time of inspection, the exisiting star rating certificate should be surrendered to the Inspecting Officer. He/She will issue an interim “Newly Inspected” certificate. 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.

When will I find out my new food hygiene star rating?
The star rating will not be disclosed at the time of inspection. This is because the scores must be reviewed before they are published. The scores from new inspections will be collected and reviewed by a Senior Environmental Health Practitioner at weekly intervals. You should, therefore never have to wait more than 10 working days, for your new star rating to be published on the website and for the certificate to be dispatched (for caterers) with your post-inspection letter.

I’ve lost my certificate/display wallet; can I have a replacement?
Replacement (identical) certificates and/or display wallets will be issued on receipt of a request from the food business, accompanied by payment of £10 to cover costs.

I have recently bought/established a food business: how will the scheme affect me?
You must firstly, by law, register with us by completing a form using the link below. On receipt of a completed food business registration form for a new food business or a change of ownership, we will send a letter of acknowledgement enclosing a “New Business” Certificate and display wallet. You should display this until you receive a star rating. Businesses will receive a star rating following their first routine (primary) food hygiene inspection. It is usually the case that this will be within one month of receiving a completed registration form for higher risk premises, and within two months for lower risk premises.

Can I appeal my rating?
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. All scores after the launch will be reviewed prior to publication. 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. More information on appeals is available from the Scores on the Doors website

I have registered change of ownership of my business as a result of a routine inspection: how will the scheme affect me?
If a business has changed ownership, and this has been discovered by an inspecting officer during a routine inspection, the rating from that inspection will be published as normal.

I have recently bought/established a food business: how will the scheme affect me?
You must firstly, by law, register with us by completing a form using the link below. On receipt of a completed food business registration form for a new food business or a change of ownership, we will send a letter of acknowledgement enclosing a “New Business” Certificate and display wallet. You should display this until you receive a star rating. Businesses will receive a star rating following their first routine (primary) food hygiene inspection. It is usually the case that this will be within one month of receiving a completed registration form for higher risk premises, and within two months for lower risk premises.

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County Hall, High Street
Newport, Isle Of Wight.
PO30 1UD
Tel. 01983 821000

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