Star Ratings FAQ's
When does the scheme start?
The Food Hygiene Star Rating scheme will apply to all food businesses inspected after 1 September 2007. The star ratings will be displayed on the Kennet District Council website from the beginning of October 2007.
What is the Star Rating Scheme?
The Star Rating scheme allows the public to view the hygiene star rating of a premises following a programmed food hygiene inspection carried by out the Council’s Environmental Protection and Housing Services department.
Is this a national scheme?
No. The scheme is being run throughout Wiltshire. The Food Standards Agency is keen for local authorities to introduce similar schemes and are currently running several pilot schemes throughout the country. If a national scheme is introduced the current star rating score may be subject to change. The council will endeavour to keep businesses and users informed of any changes to the scheme.
Which businesses will be included in the scheme?
All businesses that serve or sell food to members of the public. These businesses will be part of the council’s routine inspection programme. Types of business included will be retail shops, cafes, pubs serving food, hotels, takeaways, schools and nurseries.
Which businesses will not be included in the scheme?
Low risk businesses which do not form part of the council’s inspection programme, for example retail premises selling sweets or childminders working at home.
How will businesses get a star rating?
Businesses will receive a score following a programmed food hygiene inspection. The scores will be based on a national scoring scheme and then converted into a star rating.
Officers are trained in assessing the standard of structure, hygiene and confidence in management, which are used to calculate a simple star rating. Certificates will be available on request for food businesses to display, on a voluntary basis.
What does the star rating mean?
The star rating gives you a glance at the hygiene standards found in the business at the time of the inspection. Five stars means that excellent standards of hygiene were found and no stars means that very poor conditions were noted and follow up action is necessary.
When will businesses be rated?
Businesses will be rated at their next inspection after 1 September 2007. The due date of the inspection depends on when the business was last inspected and the hygiene conditions found at the time. The worst performing businesses are inspected more frequently.
There are over 800 food businesses eligible to be covered by this scheme in the district and it is anticipated it will take approximately two years for all business to receive a star rating.
Can a star rating be changed?
The star rating will only change when the next scheduled food hygiene inspection takes place or if a premise with serious breaches of food legislation makes significant improvements. You will not be able to request an additional inspection to rescore your premises.
How often will the rating change?
As soon as a new food inspection has been completed.
A new food business operator may request a food hygiene inspection at the same time as requesting a food business registration form.
What details about a business will be published on the website?
The name and address of the business, the date of the inspection and the star rating will appear on the website.
What if a business disagrees with the star rating?
The rating is based on the inspection by professional Environmental Health Officers and Environmental Control Officers with specific legal and food safety training and will only be changed in exceptional circumstances. However if a business feels it has not been treated fairly the council’s formal complaint procedure can be used and the matter will be investigated.