Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

The Food Standards Agency has launched a National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Councils in Northamptonshire will be adopting the new scheme which will replace our existing Northamptonshire Scores on the Doors System from 31st March 2011.

What is the national Food Hygiene Rating System

The scheme, which is for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is a local authority/Food Standards Agency partnership initiative. Like the Scores on Doors Scheme it is designed to provide consumers with information about hygiene standards in food premises at the time of their last routine food safety inspection.

Restaurants, takeaways, cafés, pubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retail food outlets, will be given a hygiene rating as part of the scheme. All food premises included within the scheme are provided with a certificate and window sticker to display on their premises. Ratings for premises in the Borough of Wellingborough can be found on the Food Standards Agency Website.

What are the benefits to local consumers and businesses?

For consumers, the national promotional activities will raise awareness and understanding of food hygiene ratings and will help them to use the scheme, and they will be able to easily compare one business with another not just within their own area but also further afield.

For businesses, they will have reassurance that they are being treated fairly and consistently with their local competitors and with competitors more widely.  All businesses, no matter the size or nature of their operation, should be able to achieve the top rating.

Last Updated: 22/03/2011