Region. Voluntary scheme for restaurants

Blacktown, Holroyd, Parramatta and Penrith councils are among 20 state-wide which will recruit restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops for the state government's ''scores on doors'' program, which will award an A, B or C rating to be displayed in their windows. Those awaiting inspection or needing to deal with a problem will receive a P for ''pending''. The scheme is voluntary but the government hopes restaurants that opt out will bow to pressure from the public and their competitors and join in. Businesses that join the program will be required to display their score for at least 12 months.The pilot scheme will run for six months alongside the NSW Food Authority's name-and-shame list, which details food safety penalty notices.