Scores on the Doors delay welcomed

30th July 2009, 10:16am

News from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that there is going to be a delay to the national rollout of the Scores on the Doors Food Hygiene Rating System is being welcomed.

The FSA announced that the implementation of the scheme had been delayed until at least the middle of next year so that the details of the rollout across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus a separate scheme for Scotland, could be fully worked through.

Stuart Knill, head of Health & Safety Services at Venners, commented that the delay was in everyone's interests and was a sensible move by the FSA, as it sought to further promote a widespread understanding of the new rating scheme.

Knill said: "There is nothing to be gained by rushing in the new scheme and everything to be gained by properly educating the trade and the wider general public about the finer merits of the revised scoring process including clarity on how appeals will be handled.

"This is one example where a delay will help the education process that is essential when something of this magnitude is being rolled out. However the trade will demand clarification from the FSA of how the educational programme is to be handled otherwise the delay may prove to be futile."

Related Articles:

• 09 Aug 2010 - Improve the score on your door
• 08 Jun 2010 - British Hospitality Association cautiously welcomes national food hygiene rating scheme
• 04 Sep 2009 - Bromley restaurant receives top marks for food hygiene

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