18 CRAFTBUTCHER l OCTOBER 2017


PRIMARY AUTHORITY: FOOD HYGIENE RATING SYSTEM (FHRS) SCORES


Tom Day from A R


Day Butchers in Cornwall recognised the quote attributed to him and emailed to say, “Since you did the survey we have had another inspection and have been bumped up to a 5-star rating (from 4). Needless to say, we are thrilled with it. Tanks again to having the PA backing our own hard work.” As Paul Hobbs says in his


RICHARD STEVENSON, TECHNICAL MANAGER Delivering advice to Members


LAST month I featured several quotes from members around the country about their experiences with PA and how it affected their Scores on the Doors. A survey earlier this year had shown an average score of 4.86 with 18% of members experiencing an increase in their score since joining PA.


article on page 8 Primary Authority complements the Food Hygiene Rating System because if you are following the Premier Advice assured by Horsham District Council, there is every chance you will be awarded a good score. Paul also points out that the food Standards Agency are, in part, basing their future plans for regulation on the growth of PA and the continuance of the ratings system.


COMPULSORY DISPLAY- YOUR VIEWS WELCOME Te Federations has in the


MEMBERS ADVICE


past fought strongly against the compulsory display of food hygiene ratings. In fact, we have been a thorn in the side of the FSA and our opposition has been one of the major factors why it is still not compulsory UK wide. Our main objections have


always been, inconsistent and subjective marking by different local authorities as well as the inadequate appeals procedure. It is very likely that the


FSA will soon bring forward fresh proposals for mandatory display which will put us into a difficult position. Many members like the system and the Federation also supports the longer-term goals and direction of travel for the future of regulatory inspection which has the potential to further reduce red tape and bureaucracy for small businesses. We also


recognise that the FSA have taken


on board criticisms of the marking criteria etc and have introduced some improvements in recent times. Generally speaking


therefore, we are not as strongly opposed as we once were to putting the stickers on the door. HOWEVER, I would very


much welcome members views and experiences of ratings. I am also keen to hear from Welsh members where display has been the law since 2013. Do you agree with


compulsory display? Please give me a call on 01892 541412 or drop me an email to: richard@nfmſt. co.uk n


A RECENT EXAMPLE OF INCONSISTENT AND SUBJECTIVE SCORING.


A member in the South of England had a recent inspection. For many years he had alternated between scores of 3 and 4. His local authority had always said that a 5 score would be impossible due to inherent structural problems caused by the age of the building. On this occasion the inspection coincided with a local


festival and his busiest time of the year. Te member agreed he was not at his best but nevertheless he was shocked at the outcome; he was awarded a Zero. One of the main contributory factors was that a


trolley with a tray of unwrapped raw chicken was waiting temporarily in the corner of a ready-to-eat production room. Te EHO was sympathetic but said that her hands


were tied by the FSA guidance that said she had to mark her confidence in management category as very low. In my opinion this is rubbish. All EHOs are allowed some discretion and to make allowances for a one-off situation that was obviously untypical of the butcher’s long history of


compliance. Te worst aspect of this case is that raw and RTE foods


sharing the same room are not automatically illegal. It is recognised in the law and in the very strict cross contamination guidelines that what really matters are the procedures controlling the risk. In this case the trolley was about 9 feet away from the work area where cakes were being produced. Te chicken was not being worked on and normally they would have moved through the room on their way to a chiller. However, the very worst aspect of the case was that


before the 21-day deadline for appeals had passed the local authority had already published the score on the FSA website. I was able to help the member and the rating was


removed two days later with a humble apology. An appeal has been lodged and I anticipate a better outcome. What this case tells me is that the scoring criteria


instructions for FHRS still leaves a lot to be desired and that therefore compulsory display of stickers still has a big question mark over it. I will keep readers in touch with this case and the subject generally. n


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