Recipe for excellence

Fly in your soup? Not if Hull City Council's food safety team can help it

The number of Hull food outlets judged to have 'excellent' hygiene standards has risen from 39 to 829 in the past year – thanks to a food safety scheme set up by Hull City Council.
Under the scheme, known as 'Scores on the Doors,' a total of 1,675 food outlets, including pubs, cafes and takeaways, are graded on their hygiene and food management practices.
The grades, ranging from 'A-Excellent' to 'E-Poor,' are awarded following visits by council food inspectors – and can be viewed in a league table on the council's website.
The table has received 8,000 hits since the launch of the scheme a year ago.
Meanwhile, the number of food outlets in the 'E-very poor' category has fallen from 41 to 19 in that time.
"By giving the public this information we are creating incentives for food outlets to become safer and cleaner," says Garry Kitching, food safety manager at Hull City Council.
"Credit must go to food businesses themselves for their efforts which are of benefit to their customers." Hull is one of five councils in the country to have piloted the Scores on the Doors scheme, devised by the national Food Standards Agency.
Results from the schemes are currently being evaluated and proposals for a national scheme will be annouced this month.
The Hull scheme will continue until a national scheme replaces it.
The scheme also involved restaurants, supermarkets, clubs, nursing and residential homes, canteens, schools, nurseries, hospitals, butchers, bakers, catering companies, delicatessens, hotels and mobile traders.
To see the league table visit www.hullcc.gov.uk (and go to the 'Find it fast' section).