Some of the UK’s largest grocers have severely criticised the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) controversial proposals for supermarkets to be covered by a UK-wide rating system measuring food hygiene standards.

The FSA has proposed that its Scores on the Doors scheme should be extended to supermarkets. The scheme is carried out by local authorities and already covers some of the UK’s best-known restaurant and sandwich chains. The government is proposing that the retailers’ food hygiene rating, which is currently a sliding scale of five stars, would be posted on the FSA’s Scores on the Doors website.

Sainsbury’s and Asda have described the proposed initiative as “confusing”, saying that it is subjective and riddled with inconsistencies.

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “We have real concerns about the FSA’s proposals. We, of course, support anything that improves food safety and leads to better and more accurate information being given to consumers. However, we are concerned about the confusion surrounding this scheme and the inconsistency involved in marking.”

Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King has publicly expressed his concern about Scores on the Doors.

An Asda spokeswoman said: “We would like one simple, clear system for all local authorities because what is being proposed is confusing.”

In particular, food retailers are concerned about a lack of standardisation, leaving them open to subjective tests and measurements by individual local authorities. For instance, the grocers worry that a customer may see that their local store has only three stars, while a less hygienic store somewhere else could have a higher rating.

Food retailers are likely to be concerned at the public naming and shaming of restaurants that Scores on the Doors is already delivering and that a lower than desired rating would drive customers away from their stores.

The FTA, which says there is “strong support” for such a scheme, is proposing one of two scoring options for the scheme: a “three-star, plus fail” system and a “pass/improvement required” system, based on one being piloted in Scotland.

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