Cause for Concern in Hammersmith Kitchens

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As 'Scores on the Doors' make inspection results available to consumers

From Michelin starred restaurants to the local café food hygiene inspection results from 80,000 of London’s eateries are now available to the public.

This has given an insight into standards in the kitchens of local establishments and whilst the overwhelming majority score well there have been some surprises with some well known restaurants getting poor scores.

Food outlets are rated between zero and five stars. A two star rating is defined as largely compliant with national requirements. Restaurants which fail to meet this standard are advised on how to improve and, where necessary, could be subject to enforcement action.

Places locally below this standard included Saigon Saigon, Tandoori Nights, the Thatched House, Boots Supermarket, Pizza Hut's delivery services and the Lyric Theatre.

Places Rated No Stars

• Ringo Pizza
• Coffee Bean Cafe
• The Rutland
• Pizza Palace
• Chicken Express
• Olive Bar Deli
• Yas

Places Rated One Star

• Pizza Hut Delivery
• Thatched House
• Tipsy Toad
• Boots Supermarket
• Pacific Fish Bar
• Minato
• Lams
• Ahmadi
• You and Me Seafood
• Saigon Saigon
• Haweli
• Tandoori Nights
• 101 Thai Kitchen
• Lyric Theatre
• Le Cinnamon

The London Scores on the doors scheme will see almost every restaurant and food outlet in the participating boroughs rated according to their latest food hygiene inspection reports, enabling consumers to make informed choices about where to eat.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) supported pilot will unite a number of existing schemes in London into one consistent, consumer friendly, easy to access website: www.yourlondon.gov.uk/foodscores.

In addition to the website, businesses are being issued with a certificate and window sticker with their star rating on. Currently display is voluntary, but discussions are taking place to make it a legal requirement in London for a business to display its star rating.

Strong public interest in kitchen cleanliness and the desire to drive up food hygiene standards has led to the London-wide pilot, which joins funded pilots in the Midlands and Scotland.

As there are a number of different schemes in operation currently, the FSA has commissioned independent evaluation, with the aim of declaring a preferred national scheme at the earliest opportunity.

CIEH Principal Policy Officer Jenny Morris said, “We are delighted consumers will be able to exercise choice about where to eat, based not only on the menu but also on how conscientious the restaurants are in maintaining hygiene.

“The London scheme will provide an opportunity for the public to access information all in one place, and in a consistent format. Importantly, it will recognise those businesses which work hard to maintain good standards and for others it should drive improvements, which is an outcome we are all seeking”

Supported by the CIEH, the FSA, the Greater London Assembly (GLA), London Councils, the consumer group Which?, London Connects - a pan London agency delivering improved public services through the use of technology - and the Association of London Environmental Health Managers (ALEHM) the public information website can be found at: www.yourlondon.gov.uk/foodscores.

October 19, 2007