Restaurant report cards

By Meaghan Kirby

A new Scores on Doors scheme provides consumers with point-of-sale information on eating outlets’ food safety and hygiene, based on inspections by Council.

The new ranking system began on July 1 and is being trialled in 20 council areas across the state, including Sydney City.

The Food Authority’s online Name and Shame list, designed to expose dirty food outlets, will continue to operate.

NSW Food Authority Director of Industry Liaison Peter Sutherland says it would be possible to have an A rating and still be on the Name and Shame list.

“Your name could be on the list for a year, but you have since improved and now have a B or an A rating,” he said.

Minister of Primary Industries Steve Whan says Scores on Doors will allow the public to see how a food service business complies with food safety and hygiene requirements by featuring a scorecard with a simple, easy to recognise ranking system.

“A is excellent, B is good, C is acceptable and P is pending and will be issued when an inspection has led to compliance action and improvement required,” Minister Whan said.

If successful, the scheme will be introduced state-wide from July next year, rating all restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops.

The scheme aims to give consumers confidence in the food outlet of their choice, says the NSW Food Authority.

“People should take comfort in the system. A ‘C’ is still perfectly good place to eat at. It’s a bit like an exam, you still pass if you get a B or a C, but you really are striving for an A,” Mr Sutherland said.

“The frequency of testing depends on that council [but] if a complaint is made against a business it will be followed up and substantiated,” he said.

In the last week alone, 37 new penalty notices were added to the Name and Shame list, and 162 in the last month

Min Sok Chon, a Korean restaurant in the CBD, has received two separate notices for non-compliance with the Food Standards Code, including failing to maintain easily accessible hand washing facilities after a previous warning.

The new system is voluntary, but the Food Authority expects previously ‘shamed’ outlets will be eager to redeem their reputation.

Only a handful of businesses have signed up so far, and the NSW Food Authority could not comment on the names or number of businesses involved.

“We expect that after month or so more restaurants will be signing up,” Mr Sutherland said.

The Food Authority warns scores do not guarantee a pleasant dining experience.

“It measures hygiene and food safety, not the quality of the food,” Mr. Sutherland said.