On 3 April 2023, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced that it intends to implement the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) to meet future development requirements and ensure that the Food hygiene rating Scheme continues to operate smoothly and maintain consumer confidence. The comment period is 12 weeks, with a feedback period ending June 30, 2023. The main contents of the review include: 

1) A modernised food hygiene intervention rating scheme, including a decision matrix, to determine the appropriate frequency of food hygiene controls based on the risk posed by a food business establishment;

2) An updated risk-based approach to the timescales for initial official controls of new food establishments, and for undertaking due official controls; 

3) Increased flexibility as to the methods and techniques of official controls that can be used to risk rate an establishment, including the appropriate use of remote assessment;

4) Extending the activities that officers, such as Regulatory Support Officers, who do not hold a “suitable qualification” for food hygiene can, if competent, undertake. 

Learn more via: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/fsa-launches-consultation-on-developing-a-modernised-food-hygiene-delivery-model-in-england-wales-and-northern-ireland