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Scores on doors: restaurant hygiene ratings and public health policy
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Scores on doors: restaurant hygiene ratings and public health policy

Janet Fleetwood
Journal of public health policy, v 40(4), pp 410-422
01 Dec 2019
PMID: 31383956

Abstract

Health Care Sciences & Services Health Policy & Services Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Science & Technology
This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing policy debate about mandated posting of health department hygiene ratings for establishments that sell food. Posted restaurant hygiene ratings, or 'scores on doors,' exemplify a public health transparency policy in the form of words, letters, numbers, or symbols displayed at entrances to food-serving establishments summarizing their most recent health inspection. After describing the scope of restaurant hygiene inspections and the problem of foodborne illness, this paper critically examines the 'mandation' debate on economic, practical, ethical, and legal aspects. It concludes that mandated posting of hygiene ratings, if done properly, is a potentially effective public policy that fosters transparency, population health, and informed consumer choice.

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21 citations in Scopus

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Web of Science research areas
Health Care Sciences & Services
Health Policy & Services
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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