We analysed the data going back 10 years to evaluate the effect of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme on compliance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As you can see from the attached chart, there has been a steady growth to the point where 76% now achieve FHRS-5. Consumer awareness has never been higher and there is also evidence that the minimum standards many are prepared to accept has steadily increased over the years.
So it’s good news right?
Well yes of course it is good news, but there are still a couple of issues that need addressing:
- Compulsory display in England still has no legislative timetable.
- Where do we go from here?
To answer point 1, it seems we will have to wait until sometime in the next parliament before there is any prospect of progressing. Despite 93% of consumers surveyed who had heard of the scheme, saying they would like to see this. Of course, if you live in Wales or Northern Ireland, food businesses have been required to display for years now. Let’s hope whoever wins the election regards this as a higher priority.
As far as the second point is concerned, where do you sit? Is the 2010 criteria good enough? Will we ever get the remaining 24% all the way to FHRS-5, or at what point does this tail off? Should there be additional incentives for the 76% to further improve?
What many may not remember is that the current top FHRS-5 band only kicks-in at the same point as the original Scores on the Doors 4 star rating. Actually, it has 4 sub-grades within it. So in many cases a rating of 5 will still include some minor incompliances. Back in 2010, it was designed like this due our obligations under EC legislation not to Gold plate. But of course we now have the power to increase the top grade which would provide incentives to improve even further. Just like Ofsted did with schools a few years ago.
Is it time to review the grading?
Interested in your comments.
