The food hygiene and safety procedures (including food handling practices and procedures, and temperature control), and, are assessed using the scoring system below:

Very Good = High standard of compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice; conforms to accepted good practices in the trade.

Good = High standard of compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice, minor contraventions of food hygiene regulations. Some minor non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice.

Fair = Some non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice. The premises are in the top 50 per cent of premises and standards are being maintained or improved.

Poor = Some major non-compliance with statutory obligations – more effort required to prevent fall in standards.

Bad = General failure to satisfy statutory obligations – standards generally low.

Very Bad = Almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations.

The structure of the establishment (including cleanliness, layout, condition of structure, lighting, ventilation, facilities etc.).

The meanings of the scores are as follows:

Very Good = High standard of compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice; conforms to accepted good practices in the trade.

Good = High standard of compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice, minor contraventions of food hygiene regulations. Some minor non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice.

Fair = Some non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice. The premises are in the top 50 per cent of premises and standards are being maintained or improved.

Poor = Some major non-compliance with statutory obligations – more effort required to prevent fall in standards.

Bad = General failure to satisfy statutory obligations – standards generally low.

Very Bad = Almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations.

The actual performance of management is scored in on the basis of the results achieved and observed. A management that achieves good food hygiene performance, well understood by the workforce, should have achieved a good score.

 Confidence in management is not meant to reconsider this aspect. It is to elicit a judgement on the likelihood of satisfactory compliance being maintained in the future.

Factors that will influence the inspector's judgement include:

-        the "track record" of the company, its willingness to act on previous advice and enforcement, and the complaint history;

-        the attitude of the present management towards hygiene and food safety; and

-        hygiene and food safety technical knowledge available to the company (internal or external), including hazard analysis/HACCP and the control of critical points;

-        satisfactory HACCP based procedures.

The meanings of the scores are as follows:

High = Good record of compliance. Access to technical advice within organisation. Will have satisfactory documented HACCP based food safety management system which may be subject to external audit process. Audit by Food Authority confirms compliance with documented management system with few/minor non-conformities not identified in the system as critical control points.

Good = Reasonable record of compliance. Technical advice available in-house or access to and use of technical advice from trade associations. Have satisfactory documented procedures and systems. Able to demonstrate effective control of hazards. Will have satisfactory documented food safety management system. Audit by Food Authority confirms general compliance with documented system.

Some = Satisfactory record of compliance. Access to and use of technical advice either in-house or from trade associations. May have satisfactory documented food safety management system.

Little = Varying record of compliance. Poor appreciation of hazards and control measures. No food safety management system.

No confidence = Poor track record of compliance. Little or no technical knowledge.
Little or no appreciation of hazards or quality control. No food
safety management system.

Outstanding!