The scheme for inspecting food hygiene and safety of restaurants, takeaway places and other food outlets in Hertsmere has changed.

Hertsmere Borough Council ’s Scores on the Doors is now part of a national initiative co-ordinated by the Food Standards Agency and is known as the Food Hygiene Ratings scheme.

Outlets will be rated in exactly the same way from five marks for premises with very good food safety and hygiene standards, to zero for premises in need of urgent improvement.

And as before, business owners will be encouraged to clearly display the rating as a certificate or a sticker so residents and visitors can make informed decisions about where they eat out or shop for food.

Councillor Jean Heywood, Conservative representative, said: "Our food safety officers do a brilliant job inspecting businesses to ensure they are following food hygiene laws.

"By becoming part of the national scheme, it means local businesses will be rated in the same way for their food hygiene standards, as those in other parts of the country.

"It won’t change the way we do inspections or how frequently we do them.

"We want people to know that wherever they are from, they can eat out or shop for food in Hertsmere and know exactly what it means if an outlet has five or zero marks."

Food safety officers regularly inspect restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, takeaway outlets and other places which sell or handle food.

As part of the inspection, officers check how hygienically the food is being handled, the condition of the premises including cleanliness, lighting and ventilation, and how food safety is being managed and documented.

The rating reflects the hygiene conditions found at the time of the inspection and does not reflect the quality of the food or the standard of service provided.

For businesses that do not achieve top ratings, officers will give guidance on how to improve.

For more information about the food hygiene ratings scheme visit: www.food.gov.uk/ratings