More clarification on Brisbane, Australia’s ‘score on the door’ scheme.

The Brisbane Times reports that 5,500 food businesses were inspected by the Brisbane City Council this year as part of Eat Safe Brisbane, which rates all city food operators out of five for their compliance to food safety standards.

The businesses covered include restaurants, cafes, bakeries, hotels, prisons, child care centres and food manufacturers.

Businesses with ratings of three stars or more can elect to have their rating displayed at their premises or added to an online database.

However, those with two stars or less – which are required to make improvements to meet legislative requirements – will not be named online.

Sixteen per cent of eateries received a two-star rating, defined as having "a low level of compliance with the Food Act 2006 with more effort required to rectify issues".

Five per cent received a zero-star rating. There is no one-star rating.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said those with poor ratings were protected from being named by privacy legislation.

However, he said the optional system whereby outlets who received three stars or more could display their credentials, would pressure businesses into lifting their game.

Only 56 per cent of the overall food businesses have their results published online. This is made up of the 21 per cent of businesses who received two stars or less, plus another 23 per cent who opted out of having their rating made public.

Just eight per cent of Brisbane licensed food businesses received a five-star rating, with 26 per cent receiving a four and 45 per cent receiving three.

Businesses who receive high ratings will receive lower annual fees and less frequent audits.

Queensland Hoteliers Association chief executive Justin O’Connor said the system would provide an incentive for businesses to do better in terms of food safety compliance.

Norman Hotel general manager Michael Fallon, whose business received a five-star rating, said he would be wary of eateries who had not made their rating public.

"To me, that tells me they’ve got something to hide," Mr Fallon said.

Baking Industry Association Queensland Paul McDonald said he had little sympathy for businesses who recorded a low rating.

"If you are not up to standard you shouldn’t be open, I think you are endangering people’s lives and that is a risk none of us want to take," he said.

Star ratings can be viewed online at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/EatSafeBrisbane.