20th March 2008
Restaurant hygiene scheme 'needs caution'
A scheme whereby all restaurants in the UK would need to display their food safety ratings on their doors or windows has been given a lukewarm reception by restauranters.
The Scores on the Doors scheme has been trialled by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland since 2006.
Last week it announced a 12-week consultation period on the possibility of rolling out one of two versions of the scheme across the UK.
"Scores on the Doors is an important step in empowering consumers to make informed choices about the food they eat," said chair of the FSA, Dame Deirdre Hutton.
"Our data shows that the introduction of a single nationwide scheme is clearly supported by all stakeholders and we will work with local authorities and food businesses across the country to put this in place."
However, some industry figures have expressed concern over the way the scheme is handled.
Quoted in CatererSearch, director of the Heathcotes restaurant group Paul Heathcote said: "A restaurant might be rated with poor hygiene standards and then sort the problem out within a few weeks but not get the improved marks because the inspectors only come round once a year."
"It seems like a glorified job that isn't actually serving any function at all and the time and money going into its implementation could be used for a much better cause," he added.
The Scores on the Doors scheme has been trialled by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland since 2006.
Last week it announced a 12-week consultation period on the possibility of rolling out one of two versions of the scheme across the UK.
"Scores on the Doors is an important step in empowering consumers to make informed choices about the food they eat," said chair of the FSA, Dame Deirdre Hutton.
"Our data shows that the introduction of a single nationwide scheme is clearly supported by all stakeholders and we will work with local authorities and food businesses across the country to put this in place."
However, some industry figures have expressed concern over the way the scheme is handled.
Quoted in CatererSearch, director of the Heathcotes restaurant group Paul Heathcote said: "A restaurant might be rated with poor hygiene standards and then sort the problem out within a few weeks but not get the improved marks because the inspectors only come round once a year."
"It seems like a glorified job that isn't actually serving any function at all and the time and money going into its implementation could be used for a much better cause," he added.
- 5th January 2009 Businesses urged to make redundancies 'last resort'
- 5th January 2009 'Cut interest rate to 1%' says business group
- 2nd January 2009 Gloomier forecast from business group
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon