UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
The UK-wide Scores on the Doors Steering Group was set up to advise the Agency on the development and implementation of the national scheme. At its 9 September 2010 meeting it was agreed to change its name to the Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group.
At its meeting on 10 December 2008, the Agency's Board decided that a six-tier national scores on the doors (SotD) scheme should be established in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and that a two-tier scheme should continue in Scotland. The Board agreed that a UK-wide Steering Group should be established to provide advice and guidance on the development of the schemes.
The steering group has been set up with a view to shared learning and commonality of approach, as far as possible. It is chaired by Steven Esom who has a background in the food industry, and its membership comprises consumer, local authority, food industry and Agency representatives.
You can find more details about the steering group including its terms of reference and work programme at the links below.
Find out more
Guidance on the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme – the 'Brand Standard'
Consolidated guidance on all aspects of the scheme has been endorsed by the Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group. This brings together all the previous guidance issued in draft. The guidance is in question and answer format. It covers all aspects of implementation and operation of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
Meetings of the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
Agendas, papers and minutes of the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
Membership of the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
Updated April 2012
Terms of reference for the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
The terms of reference were first published in April 2009 and subsequently revised in September 2010 and March 2012.
Work programme of the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
At its first meeting on 24 March 2009, the UK-wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group agreed its work programme and an outline timetable for taking this forward. These are reviewed at each meeting. The latest revisions were made at the 12 October 2011 meeting.
Local Authority IT Advisory Group
In addition to the UK-wide Steering Group and its working groups, a group has been established to provide advice and guidance on the development, implementation and operation of the IT platform that will support the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Scotland.
Working Group on Consistency Issues
Details of the working group
Working Group on Scope and Pre-Launch/Launch/Migration Issues
Details of the working group
Working Group on Scoring/Banding and Safeguards
Details of the working group
FHRS/SotD Interim Implementation Group
Following the partnership agreement between the FSA and Transparency Data, announced in September 2010, an FHRS/SotD Interim Implementation Group has been set up to provide advice and guidance to the FSA on the integration of functionality from the SotD website service to the FHRS IT platform.
Intercessional papers of the Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group
These intercessional papers were sent to the UK wide Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group for comment in advance of the next meeting.