The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has abandoned a stars-based format for its “Scores on the Doors” national hygiene scheme to avoid confusion and a consultation into displaying calorie information on menus has also been delayed.
Newly published research from the FSA found the use of stars to illustrate a premise’s hygiene rating might lead consumers to wrongly associate the score with other aspects of the operation, such as food quality or the dining experience.
And M&C Report also understands that a consultation into pubs, bars and restaurants displaying calorie information is in what has been described as a state of “limbo”.
The government quango had been due to publish the results of consultation, following a pilot scheme at 21 businesses this summer but that has been put on the backburner following the change of government.
A source at the FSA said: “The calorie information consultation should be out around now. However, because of the change of government it has been delayed. Who knows when it will see the light of day?”
The companies involved in the pilot scheme included Burger King, Compass Group, KFC, Marks & Spencer cafés, Mitchells & Butlers, Pizza Hut, Prêt A Manger, Sodexo, Subway, The Real Greek and Wimpy.
On “Scores on the Doors”, the FSA said it would instead use a scale running from zero to five (also featuring a fail) when the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is launched this October.
Scotland will continue to operate its own rating scheme of simply pass or fail.
