Whitehorse City Council introduced the 5-Star Food Hygiene Assessment System in 1996 for all Class 1 and 2 premises as its principal means for evaluating hygiene standards for high and medium risk food premises such as aged and child care facilities, hospitals, restaurants, cafes, take-away food shops, bakeries, delis and hotels.
From 2019, the system model has been renamed to Food Safety Assessment to give a more meaningful comprehension on what the assessment entails.
The 5 Star Whitehorse Food Safe Program operates within a legislative framework under the Victorian Food Act 1984 and Food Standards Code.
The aim of the 5 Star Whitehorse Food Safe Program is to improve the safety of food being manufactured, handled, stored and sold in the municipality. The system provides meaningful and relevant information to food proprietors, consumers and Council about the standard of food safety being achieved in the municipality.
The rating of premises is designed to achieve two objectives:
- To provide a measure of food safety performance and the level of compliance with legislative requirements.
- To manage non-compliance and establish a system for follow inspections.
A 4 star and 5 star rating demonstrates a high standard of compliance with legislative requirements, including the Food Standards Code and Food Safety Program. In addition a 5 star rating demonstrates best practice through implementing processes and procedures above and beyond legislative requirements.
Assessment Scoring
The assessment score is converted to a star rating which relates to the overall food safety performance of the business as shown in the table below:
| Star Rating |
Percentage Assessment Score |
Whitehorse City Council Grading |
Department of Health Reporting |
| 5 Stars |
91% - 100% |
Excellent (incorporating best practice) |
Compliant |
| 4 Stars |
91% - 100% |
Very Good |
Compliant |
| 3 Stars |
81% - 90% |
Satisfactory |
Compliant |
| 2 Stars |
71% - 80% |
Unsatisfactory |
Major non-compliance |
| 1 Star |
70% and below |
Poor |
Critical non-compliance |
Benefits of Achieving 5 Stars
Food businesses that achieve a 5 star rating (excellent including best practice) are rewarded for their achievement through promotion in Council publications and website, promotional booklet and being eligible to receive the annual 'Food Premises of the Year’ award under various categories. If a business has provided consent, their star rating will also be publish through the eHealth portal
The Food Business of the Year receives a certificate and a cheque to reward and recognise excellence in food safety within their business.
Certificates of commendation are awarded to food businesses in achieving a 5 star rating with a maximum assessment result of 100% during the assessment period.
Food businesses achieving a 5 Star rating are also be listed in Council’s monthly community newsletter Whitehorse News and Council’s Business and Development quarterly publication Down to Business.
Disclaimer
The grading of a premises is based on the assessment on the date indicated on the Star Rating Certificate. Grading, unless reviewed during the year, lasts until the next annual assessment the following year. Whitehorse City Council gives no warranty as to the condition of the premises or the condition or quality of food or standard of operation at any time other than the date of inspection. While the program may be useful as a guide members of the public are urged to use their own judgment in making consumer choice.
Whitehorse City Council expressly disclaims all and any liability (including liability in negligence) to any person or body in respect of the consequences of that person’s actions in consequence of reliance upon the City of Whitehorse Food Safety Assessment.
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