The six-month trial of the Scores on Doors foodservice safety and hygiene rating system has begun, with 20 local NSW Councils taking part.

Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said 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 recognisable ranking system of an A, B, C or a P grading.

“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 is required,” he said. “The system will be voluntary, but it will act as a good advertisement for businesses that comply with food safety legislation.”

Whan also said the rating system is built on the existing inspection process and will be issued by Councils that carry out foodservice business inspections. Scores on Doors is one of a package of initiatives being implemented by the NSW Government in an effort to bring a comprehensive and balanced approach to improving food safety and reducing foodborne illnesses in the retail food service sector.

The participating Councils in the trial are: Goulburn, Holroyd, Tumbarumba, Forbes, Parkes, Taree, Warringah, Kogarah, Blacktown, Sydney, Ashfield, Randwick, Parramatta, Upper Hunter, Newcastle, Mosman, Waverley, Wyong, Penrith and Cessnock.

The program will run until 31 December 2010.