Food Hygiene Information

 

Food Hygiene Information

Food Hygiene Information Scheme

Consumers can see how well food businesses in their area have fared in their last food hygiene inspection, as part of a Food Hygiene Information Scheme launched on 6 November 2006. It effectively 'opens the door' to the kitchen and/or food areas. This will increase consumer confidence and help people make informed choices about where they eat or buy their food.

The scheme applies to all food outlets in the Perth and Kinross area that supply food to consumers. Each is asked to display a certificate on the door or window of their premises, confirming that they have passed their most recent food hygiene inspection.

Search food premises inspection results

View food premises inspection results for businesses included in the Food Hygiene Information Scheme. Copies of inspection reports can be requested by contacting the Food Safety team on 01738 476476.

Further information

Which areas are taking part?

The Food Hygiene Information Scheme began as a pilot scheme in Perth and Kinross, parts of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fife and Renfrewshire and is now being rolled out to all Scottish local authorities. It applies to all premises supplying food directly to the public such as caterers, retail shops etc.

What information will I see?

The scheme is designed to give straightforward information about how each food outlet fared at its last food hygiene inspection carried out by its local authority. The inspection outcome applies to a business trading at a particular address, so that a change of business operator at a given address will require a fresh assessment. 

Pass:

A 'Pass' indicates that the business broadly met the legal requirements. These requirements include the hygiene conditions found during the inspection and the management procedures in place for providing safe food. 

Improvement Required:

Where a business has failed to meet these requirements it will not be issued with a "Pass" certificate.This outcome will appear as an "Improvement Required" on the website.

Exempt Premises:

A very small number of premises may be registered as food businesses in circumstances where it is unlikely that customers will view them as food premises. The assessment for such premises will have concluded that the food safety risk is negligible. 

In such cases (and only with the agreement of the business), a certificate will not be issued and these premises will not appear on the food hygiene information scheme website.

Awaiting Inspection:

 Where a business has not yet been inspected, it will be issued with a temporary certificate advising consumers of that fact. This will appear as 'Awaiting Inspection' on the website. Premises will also require to be re-inspected where they have changed ownership. 

The local authority website is  intended to reflect the situation 'on the ground' so that consumers can use whichever source of information is more convenient. 

If you come across any information that does not appear to be correct (e.g. a business that has ceased or started trading) then you will find contact details for the local authority on their websites. 

The Eat safe award scheme being run in Scotland will continue to offer catering businesses the opportunity to be recognised for achievement of standards beyond compliance. 

Who is backing the scheme?

It was developed and implemented by the Food Standards Agency Scotland, with the support of consumer organisations, industry and local authorities. 

Consumer Focus Scotland has been actively campaigning for a food hygiene information scheme. They have been fully engaged in the development of the scheme in Scotland. Their research clearly shows people want to know how hygienic their local takeaway or restaurant is. 

They believe that this new scheme will help drive up hygiene standards, people will be able to make informed choices and therefore be able to eat out in confidence without risking their health. The scheme will also benefit consumers by ensuring that a very high proportion of businesses continue to comply with the law. 

How many food businesses will be taking part?

Around 3,000 establishments are taking part in the scheme in Scotland. From the launch date they will be asked to display certificates prominently on the door or window of their premises, showing how well they did in their last hygiene inspection.
 

Why has it been launched?

The Scottish Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey 2005 showed that many people were concerned about hygiene in food outlets. Discussions with stakeholders and Freedom of Information legislation have also prompted the Agency to give consideration to developing a UK-wide initiative in the future.  

How do I get more information

For more information about the scheme please use the link to the Consumer or Trade leaflets (located under the Downloads heading at the right-hand side of the screen) which details the philosophy behind the scheme including the organisations endorsing this initiative.

Or alternatively:

Telephone: 01738 476476 (Available Monday to Friday 8:45 am to 5:00 pm) or after hours leave a message and someone will phone you back.
Fax: 01738 475210
Email: ES@pkc.gov.uk   
or write to: Food Safety, The Environment Service, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, PERTH, PH1 5GD

Find out more

 Food Hygiene Information Scheme and your business

This page is for food businesses in Scotland who are interested in the Food Hygiene Information Scheme and would like to find out more about how it works.

Securing the Future Awards 2009

In May 2009 the Food Safety Team were awarded a Gold "Securing the Future" Award for their efforts in establishing the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) across the whole of the Perth and Kinross area. FHIS has now been approved by the Food Standards Agency as the national food hygiene information scheme for Scotland.