Food Hygiene Information Scheme and your business
Friday 6 October 2006
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.
What's in it for businesses?
The Scottish Consumer Attitudes to Food Survey 2005 showed that many respondents were concerned about hygiene in food outlets. The schemes offers compliant businesses potential benefits, such as increased public confidence and recognition, repeat trade and recommendations.
My food business is in the pilot area - what happens now?
As a business in a pilot 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.
If my business gets an 'Improvement Required' certificate, how soon will I be re-inspected?
If 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.
How will the public benefit from the scheme?
It 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.
How do I find out more?
Answers 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:
- Aberdeen City Council: 01224 523800
- City of Edinburgh Council: 0131 529 3030
- Fife Council: 01592 417723
- Perth & Kinross Council: 01738 476476
- Renfrewshire Council: 0141 840 3615
Is this a national scheme?
Not at present. The scheme is being piloted in five Scottish local authority areas with the intention hat it be taken up by all authorities at the end of the pilot period which will run for at least two years.
The 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.
Are there any businesses that are not part of the scheme?
The 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.
When will a business be rated, and who will decide what the rating will be?
A 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.
What if a business disagrees with the rating given to them?
The 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.
If a business is not displaying a certificate does this mean it is not safe to purchase food from there?
No. 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.