Food safety rating stars launched for SA participating restaurants

SA Health Director Food and Controlled Drugs Dr Fay Jenkins said 17 councils and more than 50 per cent of businesses in these council areas will participate in South Australia’s Food Safety Rating Scheme, following a successful year-long pilot of the program.

"As of today, a quarter of all South Australian councils will officially participate in the Food Safety Rating Scheme giving diners more information about food safety than ever before," Dr Jenkins said.

"As the star ratings become more recognisable and consumers demand more information about the safety and hygiene of food premises we expect the number of participating councils to continue to grow.

"Since the scheme started as a pilot in 2014, more than 1200 businesses have received a star rating and we expect this to increase to more than 2700 businesses by the end of 2016.

"By taking part in the Food Safety Rating Scheme councils and businesses are helping to improve standards in the food service industry and reduce the risk of food poisoning."

The Food Safety Rating Scheme involves participating food premises undergoing an inspection by Environmental Health Officers from their local council.

Following the inspection, the council awards the business a rating of three, four or five stars depending on their level of compliance with the food safety standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

"A business that achieves five stars has done an excellent job, four stars indicates very good compliance and three stars is a good result," Dr Jenkins said.

"Businesses who receive a rating of less than three stars will work with their local council to improve their food safety standards compliance.

"We encourage all businesses who participate in the scheme to display their star rating but it is not compulsory for them to do so."

The voluntary Food Safety Rating Scheme was developed in conjunction with local government, industry and consumers.

While star rating certificates will become increasingly common, many businesses are only inspected once or twice a year and may not be able to change their food safety rating until their next routine inspection is completed.

For more information about the Food Safety Rating Scheme, visit the SA Health website.

Councils participating in the Food Safety Rating Scheme include:

• Adelaide City Council
• Adelaide Hills Council
• Town of Gawler
• City of Holdfast Bay
• Mid Murray
• Rural City of Mt Barker
• Rural City of Murray Bridge
• City of Onkaparinga
• Pt Adelaide Enfield
• City of Salisbury
• City of Unley
• City of West Torrens
• City of Mt Gambier
• Kangaroo Island Council
• City of Tea Tree Gully
• City of Charles Sturt
• City of Mitcham