SparkyD

Not quite true. The Government (Food Standards Agency) are in the process of introducing a national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme with the intention that this will provide a consistent system to replace the many different schemes in operation. Not sure how EHOs can say that these schemes aren't representative of the behaviour/standards in businesses when it should reflect their assessment of the risk in the business, whether that be structural, hygiene or confidence in management (which should include how well they can identify the risks in their business, mitigate for them and ensure that any staff are appropriately informed). I also don't buy the business is great one day and poor the next argument. Any good EHO should be competent enough to know when a food business operator is pulling the wool over their eyes - eg you can't feign knowledge of risks. The majority of inspections should also be unannounced to limit any advanced preparation by the business. Of course businesses can change hands etc. which could impact significantly upon the standards in the business. Ultimately, it seems that more consumers want information about standards in a particular business and, whilst maybe not perfect, these schemes are a start. They should also promote a certain amount of aspirational behaviour in relatively poorer scored businesses. These schemes arent going away - in fact there's a certain amount of support for making displaying of this information mandatory ie with primary legislation. showboat Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The 'scores on the doors' system is on the way > out, as even EHO's agree it isn't representative > of the actual behaviour of staff inside the > establishment. > > One EHO privately admitted to me that the whole > thing can be skewed if the inspector is 'having a > bad day' or takes a personal dislike to your way > of doing things. Also, it's based on just one > visit on one day, and they know that anyone can be > clean and spotless on monday, but let it all go as > soon as they've been inspected and given 4 or 5 > stars. A place with a high rating won't be checked > again for up to 2 years anyway, so it makes you > wonder if they've kept up the standards. > > No one in the industry has any respect for the > system.

Had problems with my iPhone on Orange (3G not 4G), but it works when I disable 3G in the settings.