Food premises

Grading information for food premises

About food grading | Applying for a regrade

About food grading

Auckland City first introduced food premises grading in 2002. This grading system has been reviewed and changes to the grades and how food premises are assessed are effective from 1 September 2006.

The food grading system is an initiative designed to improve food safety. All businesses providing food to the public must display a licence that shows their grade. This should be in a prominent position on the premises that is visible to the public.

This is set out in Part 15.3 of Auckland City's Consolidated Bylaw 1998.

Auckland City has used a Performance Assessment System (PAS) score for setting licence fees for several years. The assessment is based on the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974, the Bylaw and best food hygiene practice. It examines

the physical condition of the premises
the conduct of the operator and staff
cleaning and sanitising of the premises
training of staff
food safety procedures.

The grading scheme is very popular with the public, telling them the state of the premises in which they may choose to eat.

An inspection will be carried out by an Environmental Health Officer prior to registration and a grading of the premises will be provided as follows:

Gold A	is given to premises that are achieving a very high level of compliance with the regulations. In addition, they consistently demonstrate best practice to ensure that food is safe.
Grade A	is given to premises that are achieving a high level of compliance with the regulations.
Grade B	is given to premises that are achieving a moderate level of compliance with the regulations.
Grade D	is given to premises that are not achieving a satisfactory level of compliance with the regulations, and/or have repeated faults from a previous inspection.
Grade E	is given to premises that have serious deficiencies in their level of compliance with the regulations.

Note: There is no Grade C to avoid it being thought of as a "passing" grade.

This grade will indicate to the public the standard of food hygiene found on your premises at the time of the last grading inspection. The Grading Certificate must be displayed conspicuously in a public part of the food premises to which it relates so it is visible to the public.

Gold A Grade

We have introduced a new 'Gold A Grade' to recognise and reward the best food businesses in Auckland, those that strive hard to ensure they comply with the regulations and that the food they produce is safe for the public.

We will be looking for businesses to demonstrate to us that they have developed and put in place some simple food safety policies.

This special grade takes into account the good management of the premises and it's history of compliance. As such, the Gold A can not be transferred to a new owner if the business is sold, instead the new owner will receive a normal A grade.

Auckland City Council also reserve the right to revoke the Gold A at any point, should we decide that the premises is no longer operating at this standard.

More information about safe food practices.

Applying for a regrade

You will have the opportunity to apply for a regrade of your food premises. However, the grade will remain in place for two months from the date of receipt of the certificate before any application for regrading will be considered.

A Gold A can not be awarded to you following a 're-grade' inspection.

The fee payable for regrading a food premises is 50 per cent of your annual registration fee.

Applications will be accepted within the two month period but the regrading will not occur until after two months from the date of issue of the Certificate of Registration. Contact us for an application form.

Once you have completed the form and returned it to Auckland City, you will receive a receipt acknowledging that your application has been received and advice on when you can expect an inspection of your premises.