New Hygiene Scheme Could Affect All Indies

Delis and farm shops will be expected to display the results – which are rated on a scale from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to five (very good) – in bright green and black stickers on their windows or doors.

The new Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) was launched by the FSA in partnership with local authorities and is intended to reduce the one million cases of food poisoning reported each year. Up until now, local Governments have used a variety of different criteria and rating symbols, such as numbers and stars, but the new system will enforce a standardised system – apparently providing consistency for businesses and clarity for consumers.

The scheme has already been adopted across Wales and by several councils in England, including Norwich and Shropshire, and half of the local authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are predicted to have started using it by the middle of 2011.

“Many people suffer from food poisoning every year, but we shouldn’t feel we are gambling with our health when we eat out,” says Jeff Rooker, chair of the FSA. “In developing this scheme, we wanted to give people the ability to judge for themselves whether they considered the hygiene standards of a food outlet to be good enough. If customers are looking for a hygiene rating, this will drive businesses to improve their standards,” he adds.

Stores will be judged on the safety of their food handling, the condition of their premises and how well they manage food records, but have the opportunity to appeal if they do not agree with the result. As the scheme rolls out over the coming months, ratings will be published online at food.gov.uk/ratings.