Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Scotland
Scottish consumers can see how well food businesses in their area have fared in their last food hygiene inspection, as part of a two-year food hygiene information pilot scheme launched on 6 November 2006. It effectively 'opens the door' to the kitchen and/or food areas. This will increase consumer confidence and help people make informed choices about where they eat or buy their food.
The scheme applies to all food outlets in the pilot areas that supply food to consumers. Each is asked to display a certificate on the door or window of their premises, saying whether they have passed their hygiene inspection or whether improvement is required.
An independent interim evaluation commissioned by the Food Standards Agency has been carried out on the Food Hygiene Information Scheme. The full report which arose from this research can be found by following the link at the bottom of this page.
Which areas are taking part?
The Food Hygiene Information Scheme is running in Perth, parts of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fife and Renfrewshire. It applies to all premises supplying food to the public in those areas. People can also access which category each outlet has received on their local authority's website.
What information will I see?
The scheme is designed to give straightforward information about how each food outlet fared at its last food hygiene inspection carried out by its local authority. The inspection outcome applies to a business trading at a particular address, so that a change of business operator at a given address will require a fresh assessment.
Pass A 'Pass' indicates that the business broadly met the legal requirements. These requirements include the conditions found and the management procedures in place for providing safe food.
Improvement Required Where a business has failed to meet these requirements it will be issued with an 'Improvement Required' certificate.
Exempt Premises A very small number of premises may be registered as food businesses in circumstances where it is unlikely that customers will view them as food premises. The assessment for such premises will have concluded that the food safety risk is negligible.
In such cases (and only with the agreement of the business), a certificate will not be issued and the information on the local authority website indicates that the business is currently exempt from the food hygiene information scheme.
Awaiting inspection Where a business has not yet been inspected, it will be issued with a temporary certificate advising consumers of that fact. This will appear as 'Awaiting Inspection' on the website. Premises will also require to be re-inspected where they have changed ownership.
The local authority websites are intended to reflect the situation 'on the ground' so that consumers can use whichever source of information is more convenient.
If you come across any information that does not appear to be correct (eg, a business that has ceased or started trading) then you will find contact details for the local authority on their websites.
The Eat safe award scheme being run in Scotland will continue to offer catering businesses the opportunity to be recognised for achievement of standards beyond compliance.
Who is backing the scheme?
It was developed and implemented by the Food Standards Agency Scotland, with the support of consumer organisations, industry and local authorities.
The Scottish Consumer Council and the consumer group Which? have both been actively campaigning for a food hygiene information scheme. The have been fully engaged in the development of the pilot in Scotland. Their research clearly shows people want to know how hygienic their local takeaway or restaurant is.
Both believe that this new pilot scheme will help drive up hygiene standards, people will be able to make informed choices and therefore be able to eat out in confidence. The scheme will also benefit consumers by ensuring that a very high proportion of businesses continue to comply with the law.
How many food businesses are taking part?
More than 3,000 establishments are taking part in the pilot in Scotland. From the launch date they were asked to display certificates prominently on the door or window of their premises, showing how well they did in their last hygiene inspection.
Why has it been launched?
The Scottish Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey 2005 showed that many people were concerned about hygiene in food outlets. Discussions with stakeholders and Freedom of Information legislation have also prompted the Agency to give consideration to developing a UK-wide initiative in the future.
How do I get more information
For more information about the scheme please contact Pauline Wilkinson:
tel: 01224 285140
email: pauline.wilkinson@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Find out more
Food Hygiene Information Scheme and your business
This page is for food businesses in Scotland who are interested in the Food Hygiene Information Scheme and would like to find out more about how it works.
Food Hygiene Information Scheme pilot research report
An independent interim evaluation of the Food Hygiene Information Scheme shows that an overwhelming majority of those asked think it is fair that the public can check the food hygiene status of catering and retail outlets.
Report on the progress of the Scottish Food Hygiene Information Scheme Pilot ‘One Year On’
The purpose of this report is to set out how the Food Hygiene Information Scheme pilot has operated during the first twelve months since it's launch.