From 15 June 2009 our food hygiene 'Scores on the Doors' scheme will be live.

Local food businesses that serve food direct to the consumer will be awarded a star rating based on standards found at their most recent food hygiene inspection. Food hygiene inspections are carried out by qualified officers.

The areas that are used to calculate the star rating are:

• hygiene standards (e.g. how well the premises handles, prepares and stores food)
• that the premises is in good repair and clean
• confidence in the management of the business (e.g. how likely is it that standards will be maintained or improved)

You can download more details about the scoring process we use and information about food hygiene inspections on this page.

The star ratings will range from zero stars (very poor) up to a maximum of five stars (excellent). Food businesses that are low risk or achieve 2 or more stars will be issued with a certificate showing their rating.

Although it is voluntary for food businesses to display their certificate, businesses are encouraged to display their star rating in their premises so that customers can make informed choices about where they choose to eat.

Certain premises may be classed as low risk instead of being given a star rating. A business may be low risk because:

• They only use low risk food items (e.g. pre-packed, ambient products, such as wrapped foods, foods which do not require refrigeration, cakes, biscuits, confectionery and fruit)
• They only serve small numbers of people or operate on an infrequent basis
• They only serve drinks and/or snacks (e.g. crisps and nuts)

Information is also available on the 'Scores on the Doors' website.

The aim of the scheme is to improve food safety and hygiene standards among businesses providing food and drink to customers living, working and visiting our city. This will benefit customers, businesses and the local economy by driving up standards and making food businesses in the area safer places to eat and drink.

The principles behind the star rating scheme are:-

• to provide customers with access to information about food businesses so that they can make informed decisions about where they want to eat
• to provide positive encouragement for businesses to improve their food hygiene standards
• to promote transparency and consistency in food hygiene inspections

The star rating will remain in place until a premises receives their next routine food hygiene inspection. This could be between 6 months and 2 years after their latest inspection.

Food businesses are able to detail what improvements they have made since their last food hygiene inspection and these comments can be viewed on the 'Scores on the Doors' website.

The 'Scores on the Doors' scheme is part of the City of York Council's aim to make York a Healthy City, where residents enjoy long healthy and independent lives.

Follow the links on this page for more information or to check the rating of your favourite restaurant.

The star rating is only a reflection of conditions found on the day of the inspection. Food safety and hygiene may have gone up or down since that time.

For further information on the scheme please contact the Food and Safety Unit