Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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FSA Local Authority Letter (PLGEN19022), 10 June 2019
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A review of policy and procedures for the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) safeguards for food businesses A copy of the review report is available on this site (click on image). In addition, the FSA has published a letter setting out (in the Appendix) its response to the review recommendation, see: FSA FHRS Reveiw Response. |
The main text of the FSA letter is given below - use the link above to view the appended response:
We are pleased to let you know that we have today published the report: ‘A review of policy and procedures for the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) safeguards for food businesses’. We have also published the FSA’s response to the recommendations that are made in the report (this is also appended to this letter).
This independent review, undertaken by John Barnes of Enmoore Ltd, extended to the operation of the FHRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and considered the right to reply, requested re-inspection and appeal safeguards. The review took place between October 2018 and January this year and evidence was gathered from a wide range of stakeholders.
The report of the review concludes that the FHRS safeguards are generally being operated in accordance with the Brand Standard in England and with the statutory guidance in Wales and in Northern Ireland. The evidence gathered indicated that, while many local authority regulatory services are experiencing pressures on resources, they are prioritising FHRS activity and the associated safeguards are overall being delivered effectively and within the required time limits. Although no systematic failings in delivery of the safeguards were found, a number of areas where improvements could be made are identified and associated recommendations made.
We have considered the recommendations and are committed to making improvements to the safeguards. Our proposed actions are outlined in the appended FSA response to this letter. We will work with our stakeholders to deliver the improvements and will provide regular updates on progress.
