Public want clarity on food hygiene ratings

The public want clarity when it comes to rating food hygiene in pubs, according to research carried out for the Food Standards Agency.

The results of an independent consumer survey showed that the public welcomed the introduction of a national Scores on the Doors scheme this autumn. However they would prefer the name of the initiative to say exactly what it does — "Food Hygiene Rating" was more popular than Scores on the Doors.

They also expressed disappointment that food businesses would not be forced to display their scores on the premises.

Consumers favoured a design showing the result on a simple numerical scale, complete with descriptions such as "satisfactory" or "very good", to the current star-rating.

Those surveyed felt stars could easily be misleadingly suggest food quality and nutritional content.

The national scheme is a joint Food Standards Agency and local authority initiative that will give consumers information about food hygiene in pubs and other venues.

Sarah Appleby, head of enforcement at the Food Standards Agency, said that publishing individual hygiene ratings for businesses would help "drive up standards and prevent food poisoning" in the long term.