Food Hygiene Information Scheme – One Year On

The Food Hygiene Information Scheme Steering Group recommends the Food Hygiene Information Scheme as an appropriate template for a national scheme.

The Food Hygiene Information Scheme Steering Group recommends that

1. the scheme stays on a voluntary basis with an enhanced consumer engagement strategy. Communication with consumers should continue to be a key activity, possibly extending over a number of years to increase awareness through clear messages with fresh memorable branding.

2. the national scheme is compliance based with robust quality checking procedures.

3. the Food Standards Agency launch a national award scheme such as Eat Safe separate from compliance information.

4. a national scheme includes the facility to reassess compliance at a re-inspection and a right of equal access to reassessment for establishments that have addressed outstanding issues.

5. assessment of compliance as part of a national scheme should not be solely determined from the existing risk assessment system used to determine frequency of inspection.

6. 'Improvement Required' grading is used on the web sites only, due to the majority of businesses not displaying this certificate.

7. a national scheme is adopted by the Agency as soon as practicable.

Attachments:

• One Year On FHIS Report.pdf