Issue - meetings

In accordance with Minute No. 3(3) of 19^th May, 2008, a report was submitted on the results of the consultation undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on a proposal for a UK-wide “Scores on the Doors” (SotD) scheme for providing consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses.  The result of their consultation was presented to the FSA Board on 10^th December, 2008, at which a new six-tier system was approved for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The FSA Board had also agreed that:-

-              The scope of the recommended national scheme would cover all businesses that supplied food direct to consumers including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and takeaways

-              Displaying ‘scores’ would be voluntary but should be in a prominent position so that consumers could easily see it

-              A new UK steering group would be set up to manage the migration towards the national scheme

-              A decision on what symbols were used to represent the tiers would be made following further consumer research

The implications for Rotherham could not be fully assessed until the FSA published the full details of the new scheme.

Rotherham currently operated a six tier scheme so it was envisaged the changes would be minimal.  It currently only included caterers but other categories such as Supermarkets could be easily added and the display of ‘scores’ was voluntary and was based on stars.  The scheme in Rotherham was also used by 92 other local authorities.

The date for the launch of the new UK scheme had not been set but the steering group was likely to be set up during the new financial year.  Rotherham would continue to use the local scheme until the new scheme was available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the decision of the Food Standards Agency to implement a six-tier ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme be noted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted on the implications for Rotherham after the Food Standards Agency has published the details of the new six-tier scheme.