FSA seeks views on UK-wide ‘Scores on the doors’

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently seeking views on proposals for establishing a UK-wide ‘Scores on the doors’ scheme to provide consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses.

There are currently a variety of differently designed schemes operating in around 196 local authority areas. This UK-wide initiative aims to avoid further growth of different arrangements in different areas.

 

The scheme enables food businesses to give a score to indicate the hygiene standards in their premises found during inspection by local authority enforcement officers.

 

Each food outlet may display the score on its door or window, and consumers can also look them up on a website.

 

The Agency is seeking comments on issues including its scope – what sort of businesses will be given a score, its visibility – where consumers will find out what the cores are for the businesses from which they buy their food, and its basic design – the scoring system and associated classification, and symbols and/or descriptors.

 

After the consultation, the Board will consider the outcome of this issue in the autumn with a view to a UK-wide scheme bring launched in early 2009.

 

It will be supported by a centrally funded branding and marketing exercise and by a national promotional campaign to raise awareness of consumers and food businesses.

 

The scheme will be subject to review after a two-year implementation period. This will assess its impact and take-up, as well as any changed necessary.

 

Evidence from current schemes suggests that this can provide recognition to businesses and encourage them to raise their hygiene standards.

 

Weblink: www.foodstandards.gov.uk  

 

Words: Maria Bracken

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