Witney News - Star ratings improve food hygiene

Star ratings improve food hygiene

Over 100 food premises in West Oxfordshire have improved standards after a new system was launched giving star ratings for food hygiene.

It is a year since ‘Scores on the Doors’ was introduced by West Oxfordshire District Council and latest figures show that it has been successful in helping to drive up food hygiene at outlets across the district.

The scheme, which operates nationwide, gives a zero to five-star rating for food hygiene standards in premises that sell food, such as restaurants, cafes, butcher’s shops, deli’s, takeaways and mobile food vans.

By simply logging onto www.westoxon.gov.uk/scoresonthedoors or the national www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk website, people can find out the food hygiene rating of 841 food outlets in the district. So far, around 5,000 people have been going online every month to check ratings in West Oxfordshire.

Since the launch of Scores on the Doors last June, 114 premises have gained extra star ratings and the majority of premises in West Oxfordshire now have either five stars (excellent), four stars (very good) or three stars (good) for food hygiene.

The figures have been released today by the Council to coincide with national Food Safety Week (7th-13th June), which highlights the importance of food hygiene both in businesses and at home.

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for the Environment at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The Council launched Scores on the Doors to provide residents with an informed choice about places to eat and buy food from, and to give food establishments an incentive to aim for the highest possible hygiene standards. Businesses have responded extremely well and the figures are evidence that this scheme is working. We are very pleased and would like to congratulate all of the businesses that have worked hard to make improvements or maintain their standards.”

There are now 124 premises in West Oxfordshire with a 5-star rating and 161 with a 4-star rating.

The Rose Revived restaurant and public house at Newbridge, near Witney, has gained an extra three stars since the launch of Scores on the Doors and is now proud to have 4 stars.

Assistant manager Vicky Leney said: “We take food hygiene and safety extremely seriously, and this star rating recognises that we are doing a good job. It has given all the staff a boost, especially those working in the kitchen, to know that their hard work has paid off. It’s a great achievement for them and we are extremely pleased that our customers can dine with us knowing that their food has been prepared in a safe environment.”

All food premises which achieve two stars or more are given a certificate to display in their property for customers to see.