Pubs to post food safety scores
More pubs will be expected to display the results of their food hygiene inspections for customers to read.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has persuaded more than 40 local authorities to take part in a pilot scheme called Scores on the Doors, starting in the New Year. The results, good or bad, of inspections carried out on pubs, restaurants and other food premises will be shown for customers to read.
A two-year trial in the London area will be expanded nationwide if it proves successful in raising hygiene standards. The results will also be published online. The FSA is working on developing a standard format that will enable consumers to see a pub's 'score' quickly and easily.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 made the previously confidential reports of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) available to the public on request. A number of local authorities took advantage of the change in the law to require pubs to display a summary of the report, as well as publishing them on council websites.
The FSA has the support of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). The institute, which represents EHOs, has long campaigned for reports to be freely available.
Jenny Morris, CIEH Policy Officer, said: "Consumers will soon be able to exercise choice about where they eat based not only on the menu but also on knowing how conscientious the restaurants they choose to frequent are in maintaining good food hygiene."
She added that studies of schemes similar to Scores on the Doors operating abroad have shown that they improve overall food safety standards.
- In some parts of the USA premises have to display a scorecard with capital letters A - E showing their hygiene score
- In Denmark, food premises with good hygiene display a happy face and those that fall short a sad face.
