Food Standards Agency
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food hygiene information scheme
This page is for food businesses in Scotland who are interested in the Food Hygiene Information Scheme and would like to find out more about how it works.
The Scottish Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey 2005 showed that many respondents were concerned about hygiene in food outlets. The Food Hygiene Information Schemes offers compliant businesses potential benefits, such as increased public confidence and recognition, repeat trade and recommendations.
Back to topAs a business in a scheme zone, you will be contacted by your local authority environmental health services. They will be able to discuss the scheme with you in more depth and offer advice where necessary.
Back to topIf all the issues outlined in your previous inspection have been dealt with, you can notify your local authority, and they will arrange for an inspection to take place within seven days of you contacting them.
Back to topIt is designed to give people clear information that is easy to understand. This helps them make informed choices about eating out, using information on the hygiene standards in the food outlets in their area.
Back to topAnswers to frequently asked questions can be found below
Alternatively, you can visit your local authority's website or contact the ones that are particpating on the following numbers:
In December 2008 the Agency’s Board agreed that the two-tiered Food Hygiene information Scheme, which has been piloted for two years in Scotland, would continue to be rolled out , in line with the prevailing views of Scottish stakeholders. A six-tier scheme is being established in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Agency is working to ensure a commonality of approach between both schemes as far as is possible.
A UK Steering Group has been set up to oversee the development of both schemes.
The Food Hygiene Information Scheme has been devised in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency Scotland, the Scottish Consumer Council, the consumer group Which?, the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Associations, the British Hospitality Association, the Scottish Food Advisory Committee and the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee.
Back to topThe scheme will not cover those food businesses from which the food is supplied exclusively to other businesses or organisations (e.g. manufacturing, wholesale or distribution) and is aimed at those premises where the public can buy food for their own consumption.
Certain low risk premises, such as non-food retailers which sell confectionery, may be excluded at the discretion of the authority concerned.
Back to topA business will be rated after every programmed inspection or other inspection if necessary (e.g. inspections following complaints). The officer undertaking the inspection will decide what the rating will be.
Back to topThe rating is based on a professional officer's inspection and will not normally be changed. However, if a business believes it has not been treated fairly, the authority's formal complaints procedure can be used and the matter will be investigated.
Back to topNo. There may be a perfectly good reason for this. The business may still be awaiting an inspection or may have been issued with a 'Pass' but have chosen not display it. Obviously the business may also have been issued with an 'Improvement Required' and are unwilling to display a poor report to the public at large. If there is any imminent risk associated with the premises they would not be open.
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