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SCORES ON THE DOORS IS ANOTHER STEP CLOSER
The Food Standards Agency Board has today approved a new six-tier "scores on the doors" scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will give consumers clear information about hygiene standards in food businesses.
The hygiene rating scheme will have six levels representing the different standards of food hygiene found by the local authority officials when they undertake a hygiene inspection. The aim is that all ratings will be prominently displayed at the business premises. A decision will be made on what symbols should be used to represent these tiers following further consumer research.
The scope of the scheme will cover all businesses that supply food direct to consumers so this will include supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and takeaways.
Displaying "scores" will be voluntary, but should be in a prominent position so that consumers can easily see it.
A new UK steering group will be set up to manage the migration towards this national scheme.
Now that the Board has decided to move towards a six-tier scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the new steering group will be working to ensure that the new scheme will be clear, robust, and easy to use for both businesses and consumers. We want this scheme to help people to make informed choices about where they eat, be a catalyst for businesses to drive up standards and help make eating out as safe as it can be.
Source (FSA 10/12/2008)
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