Scores on Doors trial begins in NSW
The six month trial of the Scores on Doors foodservice safety and hygiene rating system began in NSW 1 July 2010, with 20 local Councils across the state taking part, Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said.”The NSW Food Authority was overwhelmed with the support and enthusiasm shown by its Local Government food safety partners,” Minister Whan said.
“The 20 participating Councils are an excellent representation of metropolitan and regional LGAs which will give us a good feel for the experience of communities across NSW.”
The Councils participating in the trial are: Goulburn, Holroyd, Tumbarumba, Forbes, Parkes, Taree, Warringah, Kogarah, Blacktown, Sydney, Ashfield, Randwick, Parramatta, Upper Hunter, Newcastle, Mosman, Waverley, Wyong, Penrith and Cessnock.
“Scores on Doors will allow the public to see how a food service business complies with food safety and hygiene requirements by featuring a scorecard with a simple, easy to recognise ranking system of an A, B or C or a P grading'” Minister Whan said.
“A is excellent, B is good, C is acceptable and P is pending and will be issued when an inspection has led to compliance action and improvement is required,” Minister Whan said.
“The system will be voluntary but it will act as a good advertisement for businesses that comply with food safety legislation.
“Good food hygiene means a good score and a good score is good for business. “Just as our Name and Shame list informs people of who is doing the wrong thing, Scores on Doors rewards good performance.
“At the end of the day better compliance with food hygiene will help reduce foodborne illness in NSW.”
The trial will run from 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2010 in participating Local Government Areas.
“The trial will provide an opportunity for the NSW Food Authority and participating local Councils and local businesses to work together and monitor the effectiveness of the program.
“The program will then be officially rolled out from 1 July 2011 when people will be able to look for the Scores on Doors certificate displayed at participating cafés and food outlet across the state,”
Minister Whan said.
“The NSW food industry already has a great reputation, Scores on Doors is about showing consumers who is on top of their game in food hygiene and safety.
“The rating system is built on the existing inspection process and will be issued by Council’s who carry out foodservice business inspections, this simply brings greater transparency to what food inspectors already do.”
Scores on Doors is one of a package of initiatives being implemented by the NSW Government in an effort to bring a comprehensive and balanced approach to improving food safety and reducing foodborne illness in the retail food service sector.
Further information about the Scores on Doors trial can be found at the NSW Food Authoritywebsite www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au
