The Scores on the Doors scheme allows people to quickly find out the food hygiene rating of a particular food business, like a restaurant or cafe for example. You can simply type in the name of the restaurant on the Scores on the Doors website and find out the score.

In 2005 in the United Kingdom, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was enacted which effectively stated that people have the right to be able to obtain details from their local authority, so long as it is not material that could be proven to not be of interest if released into the public domain.

Following the 1990 Food Safety Act, Environmental Health Officers carry out inspections on food premises, regardless of whether they are profit or non profit making organisations, in accordance with a code of practice laid down by the FSA (Food Standards Agency).

It is during this inspection that they will be looking for a food hygiene certificate and will decide what rating or score they will give to that particular business, with 5 stars being the highest rating indicating a clean kitchen, and 1 star indicating improvements in hygiene standards are required.

Although they have the authority to close down any business that demonstrates such poor standards of food hygiene that could potentially cause harm if their food products were eaten by the public, unfortunately some businesses will carry on trading even when an enforcement act.

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