1. Introducing the national ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’ in Northumberland and switching from the ‘Scores on the Doors Scheme’ Gordon Craigs Northumberland County Council [Public Protection Building, Loansdean, Morpeth  : 0845 600 6400  Email: public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk The Northumberland Food Event

2. What types of businesses are given a rating? Restaurants, takeaways, cafés, sandwich shops, pubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retail food outlets, and any other business where consumers can eat or buy food. Certain exemptions apply: -'low-risk' premises which are not generally recognised by consumers as being food businesses -certain businesses operating from private addresses – e.g. childminders. Under certain circumstances, exempted businesses can request to opt into the scheme.

3. Scores on the Doors – how ratings are calculated How will ratings be calculated and how will this differ from now? Total Score>4540- 45 30- 35 20-2510-150-5 Rating012345 Stars

4. CriteriaScore How hygienically the food is handled 0510152025 Condition of structure 0510152025 How you manage and document food safety. 05102030 Total score080 Level of complianceHighLow Food safety officers use guidance to determine how to score each of these areas. How will ratings be calculated and how will this differ from now?

5. The rating depends on how well the business does overall and the area(s) that need improving the most - the business may do better in some areas and less well in others. To get the top rating, you must score no more than 5 in each of the three areas. How will ratings be calculated and how will this differ from now? Total score0 - 152025 - 3035 - 4045 - 50> 50 Additional scoring factor No score > 5 No score > 10 No score > 15 No score > 20 - Rating5 (top)4321 0 (bottom) Hygiene standards Very goodGood Generally satisfactory Improvement necessary Major improvement necessary Urgent improvement necessary

6. How do customers find out about ratings? Ratings are published online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings so your customers can look them up. www.food.gov.uk/ratings

7. Further Information: - from Food Safety Team Vivien Montgomery, Senior EHO Food Safety 01670 534629 - on Food Standards Agency website at: www.food.gov.uk/ratings www.food.gov.uk/ratings Further information and questions?