Scores on the Doors, an online food hygiene ratings scheme, has been hailed a success three years on from its introduction to the Carlisle area.

Since its launch in 2007, Carlisle City Council is reporting a 48% reduction in ‘high risk’* food businesses. The number has reduced from 122 to 59.

More than 1,000 Carlisle businesses (a total of 1,020), including restaurants, cafés, bars and take-aways, are currently listed on the website – www.scoresonthedoors.co.uk.  A third have the top ratings and are either five (145 businesses) or four (59 businesses) star rated. Only 12 businesses have a zero rating.

There were a total of 50,000 ‘hits’ on the Carlisle section of the Scores on the Doors website during 2009/2010 and there around 3,000 ‘hits’ each month.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Local Environment, said:

“Scores on the Doors is a way for the public to find out how hygienic and well managed their favourite take-aways, pubs and restaurants and food shops are. Since its introduction in 2007, we’ve seen a significant improvement in how food businesses operate, all of which benefits the consumer.

“The listing, alongside free training provided by our Food Hygiene team in conjunction with the FSA and Food NW, has ensured that more than 200 local food outlets are now either five or four star rated.”

Carlisle City Council (and all other Cumbrian Authorities) began to introduce the Scores on the Doors scheme in January 2007. Food retailers and caterers inspected by Environmental Health Officers are given a star rating based on how well they perform in terms of hygiene, structural condition and overall attitude to complying with the law. 

Those businesses, which gain three, four or five stars, are given a star rating certificate to display, showing the standard they have attained. It is voluntary for the business to display the certificate but it does give the consumer an indication of overall level of food hygiene compliance at the business.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• *High risk (Category A or B) businesses are generally those that present the greatest risk to health by virtue of the activity and/or the level of compliance with food hygiene legislation. Category A businesses are inspected every six months and Category B at least every 12 months.

The Scores on the Doors scoring system relate to:

• Food hygiene and safety procedures (including food handling practices and temperature control);
• Structure of the establishment (including cleanliness; layout, condition of the structure, lighting and ventilation) and;
• Confidence in management and control systems (including attitude of management and knowledge of food safety principles and presence of appropriate documented food safety management systems).
• The number of stars given will provide the public and businesses with a quick method of identifying the level of compliance with legislation.