Decision delayed on Scores on the Doors

The scheme enables food businesses to give a score to indicate the hygiene standards in their premises found during inspection by local authority enforcement officers. Each food outlet may display the score on its door or window, and consumers can also look them up on a website. Responding to the FSA's consultation on a preferred national scheme, the CIEH stated that: "Given the apparent weakness of the evidence in the FSA commissioned evaluation reports, particularly in relation to the effectiveness of different schemes in improving hygiene standards, a true objective assessment of the relative merits of the differing options does not appear possible." The response goes on to explain that the lack of definitive evidence appears to have greatly divided stakeholders and seriously threatens the likelihood of agreement on a single national scheme. The CIEH is also disappointed that the FSA cut the evaluation period from two years to six months. "While it is acknowledged that there were good reasons for wishing to limit the proliferation of schemes, by moving rapidly towards recommendations for a national model, this did have consequences." The CIEH asks that the five star, six tier scheme be considered fairly with all other options and states that a: "transparent and objective comparison of the effectiveness of different schemes is essential if the case is to be made for a single national scheme".