Press Release
Consult on five stars says CIEH
18 April 2008
CIEH Chief Executive Graham Jukes has written to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to request that it considers a five star Scores on the doors scheme amid concern that a three tier scheme may “reward failure”.
The letter to FSA Chair Dame Deirdre Hutton asks for five star initiatives being piloted by 190 local authorities to be considered as part of the consultation process to decide on a single national programme and that the agency immediately releases research on which it based its decision to only consult on a three tier or a three tier plus fail scheme.
Commenting on the public health implications of a move from five to three stars Mr Jukes states:
“One immediate consequence would appear to be that a considerable number of premises that are only just avoiding closure would be rewarded with one star.
“Currently such premises would attract zero stars and are likely to be subject to formal enforcement action.
“It would seem possible that such rewarding of failure could confuse or mislead consumers as stars are perceived to be symbols of merit and good performance.”
The FSA is presently only going to consult on the “Scottish” scheme and a three star scheme based on research that suggests consumers found five stars too complex. Mr Jukes continued:
“The CIEH welcomes the evidence based approach but has a number of concerns about its conclusions. Our normal expectation would be that, applying the principle of transparency, such key research would be released to coincide with the Board’s public policy debate.
“Sadly this did not happen and we have been advised that the report will not be made available until the consultation documents are released.
“We would urge that the research papers are made available immediately given the extent of the discontent being expressed in their absence.”
The CIEH has advocated the introduction of Scores on the doors schemes for several years to allow consumers to make informed choices based on the hygiene standards of the business and supports a single national initiative.
The CIEH would like to see additional in-depth research carried out into the effectiveness of different schemes in raising hygiene standards and further consumer research carried out on the interpretation of the various schemes.
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