Frequently Asked Questions

What are the aims of the scheme?
The aims of the scheme are:

• To provide information about the level of compliance with hygiene legislation to consumers in a way that is clear and easy to understand, and
• To drive up public health standards by encouraging businesses to comply with hygiene legislation.

What are the principles of the scheme?
The key principles of the scheme are:

• To provide public information on food premises hygiene standards to allow for public choice.
• To provide positive encouragement for food businesses to improve standards.
• Assessments to be based on primary inspections and the Food Standards Agency Food Law Code of Practice criteria.
• An overall premises score to be derived by adding the two compliance scores and the assessment of confidence in management.
• A 5 Star / No Star (6 category) approach will be used.
• The 5 Star / No Star approach will be positioned as a relative performance ranking process of businesses on food safety and hygiene standards.
• A Star rating will not mean that a premises is fully compliant with all legislative requirements.
• Compliance descriptors are required for the star ratings to assist businesses in understanding how they have been judged and rated. Also to assist in understanding the general improvements required.

What is the scheme?

Food business will be allocated a star rating ranging from no stars (very poor) to 5 stars (excellent) using information determined by environmental health practitioners during routine food hygiene inspections.

Very high standards of compliance with food safety legislation. Demonstrating best practice in managing and achieving this.

High standard of compliance with food safety legislation. Robust food safety management.

Good level of legal compliance. Only minor safety issues not addressed.

Mainly compliant with food safety legislation. An understanding of food safety and standards being maintained or being improved.

Some non compliance with food safety legislation - more effort required.

A general failure to comply with legal requirements. Little or no appreciation of food safety.

The star rating is determined during routine food hygiene inspections through assessment of:

• Hygiene and safety, including food handling practices/procedures and temperature control
• Structure, including cleanliness, layout, condition of structure, lighting, ventilation etc., and
• Confidence in management, taken from their record of compliance, technical knowledge and food safety management skills.

The rating is determined in accordance with the Food Standards Agency Food Law Code of Practice.

Can a food business operator appeal against their star rating?
Yes. Where a food business operator believes that an inspection has resulted in an unfair rating of the hygiene standards of the food business, then an appeal should be made to the Manager of the Food Safety service for the respective local food authority. The inspecting officer will then be required to justify the score given and results of the investigation will be provided to the enquirer.

Can a food business operator request a food hygiene inspection to amend their star rating?
No. The participating local food authorities are keen to ensure that there is no added burden in terms of additional inspections. Secondary inspections to re-assess the business will not therefore be undertaken. This is in accordance with the Food Standards Agency Food Law Code of Practice. Users are provided with clear information on the website that this is the case.

Circumstances may arise that make it appropriate to bring forward a primary inspection. Such circumstances may include when the Food Authority:

• Receives a new registration application;
• Receives a consumer complaint;
• Receives a request to change registration details;
• Becomes aware of any material change in the ownership, management, layout or nature of operation of a food business;
• Receives a referral under the Home Authority Principle;
• Receives a request or other information from the Agency;
• Becomes aware of a possible outbreak of foodborne infection;
• Becomes aware that the business may be closed at the time of the due date because of seasonal closure

Which food premises are listed?
The vast majority of food businesses that are routinely inspected by Environmental Health Practitioners in the catchment areas of the Borough Council of Wellingborough, Corby Borough Council, Daventry District Council, East Northamptonshire Council, Kettering Borough Council, and South Northamptonshire Council are part of the scheme. The scheme will however exclude home-based child minders and nurseries for data protection purposes.

Can I find out further information about a food business?
Should you require further information, you should address your request to the respective Council’s Freedom of Information Officer.

What are ‘scores on doors’ certificates?
Food business operators will be provided with a certificate to put up in their premises. This will be voluntary. ‘No Star’ premises will not be issued with a certificate.

Is this scheme the first of its kind in the Country?
No. Many Local Food Authorities have similar schemes in place. Our scheme is based upon one of the largest national pilots currently taking place involving all of the London Boroughs and supported by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The Northamptonshire scheme will follow the same format and will include all authorities within Northamptonshire with the exception of Northampton Borough Council.

Is it legal?
The Food Standards Agency has provided the following as their legal opinion about such schemes:

• Publication of scores on web sites is legal, even where a proprietor’s name is published in the context of identifying a premise only.
• This approach is consistent with the Freedom of Information Act and the Information Commissioner has ruled in favour of disclosure of inspection information when local authorities have been challenged for withholding it.

What is the Heartbeat Award?
The Heartbeat Award is a national scheme promoted by and managed on a local basis by local authority Environmental Health departments in partnership with various Northamptonshire County Council departments. It is a prestigious award which can gain good publicity for the restaurant, pub, takeaway, school or caterer concerned. The Heartbeat Award requires caterers to:

i)  show good hygiene in kitchen and serving areas
ii)  ensure smoke-free legislation is enforced
iii) offer a choice of a healthy menu choices and meet any nationally agree nutritional standards.