Six tier scores on the doors approved

Wednesday 10 December 2008

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. Scotland will continue with a two-tier pass or improvement required system.

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.

During today’s discussions, in addition to the adoption of a six-tier scheme, it was agreed that:

• 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

Sarah Appleby, Head of Enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said: 'Consumers and many local authorities have told us that they support systems that show a range of hygiene standards. Some businesses who responded to our consultation also supported a progressive scale but most had concerns about this approach.

'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.'

Between May and August this year, the Agency consulted on a proposal for a national scheme. A total of 414 responses were received across the UK, with approximately 52% from industry, 45% from enforcement bodies such as local authorities, and 4% from consumer organisations.