Scores on the doors for food excellence (From This is Hampshire)

Scores on the doors for food excellence

9:44am Wednesday 16th January 2008

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A NEW hygiene inspection regime known as scores on the doors' has been activated in Test Valley to enable the public to find out which premises adopt good practice in the handling of food.

It's run by the borough council's environmental hea-lth team who want people to be aware of those who are dealing with food the right way and those who are getting it wrong.

Each premises is given a rating of excellent, satisfactory or unsatisfactory with the details for all to see on the Hampshire Food Authority website www.safe2eat.com Spencer Scott, principal environmental health officer at Test Valley, said: "We have always inspected these premises but have been running this scheme since November 2007. Previously the information had only been available on request under the Freedom of Information Act.

"We did tell premises in advance that we were going to run this scheme and we have noticed an improvement since then without doubt."

One business which passed its inspection with flying colours was the Pub at Life in Andover which now has an excellent' certificatewhich was presented by the Mayor Of Test Valley Mrs Pamela Mutton.

Day manager of the premises, Suzanne Cooper, said: "I was very, very pleased at the result.

"The inspection itself was totally blind.

"They arrived at 5.30pm on a Monday and I certainly wasn't expecting to see them."

So far 16 premises - four in Andover town and three from nearby villages - have been listed on the website by the council as unsatisfactory.

These premises will be given an action plan how things can be improved and will receive further visits.

Anywhere inspected which is considered a danger to public health can, as previously, be forced to close immediately.

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