Improving Food Safety Through Public Access
The Cumbria Food Liaison Groups launched http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/ on 11 June 2007. This new website will allow the public to see the official hygiene ratings for restaurants, pubs and cafes they wish to visit. 'Scores on the Doors' is a joint initiative by Cumbria's District Councils.
Eden District Council's Environmental Health Officers carry out routine food hygiene inspections at all food businesses in the district. Businesses are awarded a star rating dependant upon the standards identified at the time of the inspection. The information is published on the 'Scores on the Doors' website and the star rating will also be issued on a certificate which the business can display on the front door or window.
The star rating is based on three key criteria - food hygiene compliance, structural compliance and confidence in management. The score ranges from 0 stars up to 5 stars (see below):
| Five Stars |
Excellent |
| Four Stars |
Very Good |
| Three Stars |
Good |
| Two stars |
Fair |
| One Star |
Poor |
| 0 Stars |
Major Improvements Required |
The aim of the scheme is to improve food hygiene standards and also to give the public the opportunity to make informed choices about where they buy food from or where they choose to eat.
The scheme will cover the vast majority of food businesses in the district, including all food retailers and caterers such as pubs, hotels, takeaways and mobile food vendors. Very low risk businesses such as chemists selling sweets, small bed and breakfast establishments and some retailers selling only canned and wrapped products are not included in the inspection programme, although they are contacted by alternative means. These low risk premises will not therefore receive a star rating.
Further information on the scheme can be found in the Cumbria Food Liaison Group Scores on the Doors Rating Policy.
For further information:
- Contact: Food, Health and Safety Team
- Address: Environmental Services Section, Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith Cumbria CA11 7YG
- Email: env.health@eden.gov.uk
- Telephone: 01768 212491
- Fax: 01768 890732
