Cleaning up their act?

FOR PUBS there is a certain grim inevitability to the news that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) believes a nationwide 'Scores on the Doors' scheme is a better option than the close to 200 schemes operated by local authorities across the UK.

The proposal would require all pubs to display a food hygiene rating to customers - either online, on the premises, or both, depending on the exact scheme which ends up being implemented.

Arguing that the scheme is unnecessary and that pubs have enough red tape to cope with might help to let off some steam, but is unlikely to have much effect. The FSA said its "primary purpose is to empower consumers so they may make informed choices about the places in which they choose to buy food.

"Evidence from current schemes suggests that this can, in turn, provide recognition to businesses and encourage them to raise their hygiene standards," it states.

In other words, the FSA believes pubs and other food operators will quite literally clean up their acts and aim for a maximum score, rather than simply do the minimum to pass an environmental health inspection. The powers-that-be may have a point - but what are consumers supposed to think about a pub that passes, but doesn't get full marks?

The FSA has asked for responses by August 15, with a view to launching a UK-wide scheme in early 2009. So just what is being proposed? The FSA offers two choices: either a three-star scheme or a basic pass/improvement required system.

Three-star system

The three-star system is actually a four-tier scheme, since failure is an option along with three levels of pass. Businesses would be assessed based on compliance with European Community Regulations on food hygiene.

Assessment would be linked closely to the 'food hygiene interventions-rating scheme' in the Food Law codes of practice. The assessment is based around three elements of a food hygiene scoring system:

• the level of current compliance based on an assessment of the food hygiene and safety procedures in place, such as food handling practices and temperature control
• the level of current compliance of the structure of the establishment, looking at issues such as cleanliness, ventilation and lighting
• the likelihood of the level of compliance observed being maintained in the future. This is based on the local authority's confidence in the management of the business and the control procedures in place. Businesses would be given marks in all these areas when they fail to comply, so the lower the score, the better.

Pass/improvement required

This assessment would also be based on compliance with the European Community Regulations but it gives local authorities slightly more leeway.

It is designed to assess compliance at the time of inspection rather than future compliance, where an assessment is made against all aspects of the regulations including hygiene practices, structure equipment and implementation of food safety management systems. The scheme is designed around the 'pass', which represents:

• satisfactory compliance with the regulations, with any non-compliances being minor only
• any business not meeting the pass standard to be given clear steps necessary to achieve this.

Other key elements covered by the consultation include:

• the scoring system, symbols and descriptors used
• its scope, deciding which businesses will be given a score where consumers will find out the scores
• safeguards to ensure that businesses are treated fairly
• the support package needed to help local authorities implement and operate the scheme 'accurately and consistently'.

The Publican will be responding on behalf of readers. If you would like your views to be taken into account, please email your thoughts on a national Scores on the Doors scheme to pubfood@thepublican.com.