The Food Standards Agency has published the results of independent consumer research about how to ensure the national food hygiene rating scheme (known as 'Scores on the Doors') is easy to understand and use.
The national scheme, which will start to be rolled out in the autumn, is a joint Agency and local authority initiative that aims to provide consumers with ‘at a glance’ information about the hygiene standards found by local authority officers at food business establishments when they carry out routine food hygiene inspections. The primary purpose is to allow consumers to make informed choices about where they eat or buy food and, through this, to encourage businesses to improve hygiene standards.
The scheme is based on six different ratings (sometimes described as ‘six tiers’) reflecting the range of standards that may be found. The highest rating equates to compliance with the requirements of food hygiene legislation. The scheme being rolled out in Scotland is based on a two-tier system: ‘Pass’ and ‘Improvement Required’.
The main findings of the research were:
- food hygiene was important to consumers and a national scheme was welcomed to provide clarity and consistency
- consumers preferred the name of the initiative to say exactly what it does – ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’ was popular
- consumers liked the ratings shown on a simple numerical scale with associated descriptors such as ‘satisfactory’ or ‘very good’
The research was carried out to help the Agency decide how best to represent the scheme to consumers in terms of the name, and the symbols and words that should be used to describe the six different hygiene ratings.
TheHead of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said: 'It’s tremendous that we are getting close to rolling out a national food hygiene rating scheme. Publishing individual hygiene ratings for cafés, shops and restaurants will not only give diners and shoppers information to help them choose the safest place to buy food, but will also, over time, drive up standards and help prevent food poisoning. Food poisoning is not only unpleasant but can be dangerous, and is estimated to cost the economy about £1.5 billion each year.'
To find out more about the ratings schemes, visit the Food Standards Agency website, or call us to find out how we can help you with Food Safety.