'H' for Hygiene Award Scheme
The web address for this page is http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/hygienescores
It is considered desirable for customers to have access to food hygiene information in order for them to make informed choices as to where they may wish to shop or to eat out and Birmingham City Council has agreed that hygiene scores for certain types of food premises should be published on the internet.Under the scheme three criteria are taken from the Food Standards Agency risk assessment scores and converted into one numerical score for each premises. This score will determine the final rating for each premises involved in the scheme.
To view details in respect of individual food premises just follow this link :-
'H' FOR HYGIENE AWARD SCHEME
The three criteria used to determine a H for Hygiene rating are:-
- The current level of compliance of food hygiene practices and procedures including food handling practices, temperature control and potential cross contamination from raw to cooked food.
- The current level of compliance relating to the structure of the premises including cleanliness, layout, condition of the structure, lighting, ventilation, washing facilities etc.
- Confidence in management of the business.
The representation of the final score awarded to each food business is by the symbol 'H' for Hygiene, with the highest award for the best premises being 5 'H's, reducing to zero 'H's for the poorest.
STOP PRESS - New iPhone and Mobile Phone application
On the 3rd January 2011 the H for Hygiene system used by Birmingham City Council to publish hygiene scores of food business on the internet launched an 'iPhone' and 'android' mobile phone application.
This will literally allow customers to point their phone at the premises and be shown the H-rating of the business. Due to the ease of the interface by then pointing at a neighbouring premises it automatically refreshes to show the score of that business.
Both customers and buisinesses should take note of this new facility which could well become the deciding factor on which establishments are and are not chosen by potential diners.
Other features of the application allow particular business names to be searched for and the system will then give you the H-rating, plot the location on a map and even give you directions on how to get there. You can also search by business type and it will then allow you to sort the results by those closest to your location and also by rating.
Data from food hygiene inspections that is held on the existing computer database will update the website on a monthly basis.
It is hoped that not only will the publishing of this information be popular with consumers but that it will help to improve hygiene standards within the food industry, with businesses ensuring that they meet the highest standards of hygiene possible before they receive their routine inspection from the Council.
For information on the latest food prosecutions we have taken to court view our Traders Prosecuted - Food Offences web page.