Clean Cuisine

Stratford-on-Avon District Council, under the Food Safety Act 1990 has a duty to inspect all food businesses to check the safety of the food they sell.   

The results of these have never been published but the District Council has taken and continues to take action to minimise the risks to the public.  However with the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 inspection results can now be published allowing consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions when deciding where they want to purchase their food.  

To help introduce this the District Council is proposing a scheme called 'Scores on Doors', where the results will be published on the District Council's website allowing the public to quickly see what the standard of hygiene is actually like.  There will be three grades of award - Gold, Silver and Bronze, with the best business being given the Gold award.  

The scheme is currently out for consultation and will apply to all food premises including restaurants, cafes and takeaways.  Comments on the report are invited from all residents and interested parties and should be sent to the Public Protection Manager at Stratford-on-Avon District Council by Friday 14 July.  

"When a customer wants to visit a restaurant or buy food from a takeaway, they have no idea how good the food hygiene is at the business," says Cllr Simon Jackson, Environment Portfolio Holder.  

"Businesses that appear wonderful to the public may have poor standards of food hygiene.  We intend to publish simple information to ensure customers can make informed decisions.  Those businesses that have high standards will be rewarded for their efforts.  Those that are poor will have an incentive to improve."  

If you would like to comment on the scheme and would like a copy of the consultation document please contact the Health Protection Team at Stratford-on-Avon District Council on 01789 260832.