The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation on developing a modernized food hygiene delivery model (FHDM). The proposed changes to the FHDM are intended to enable local authorities to focus on food businesses that are noncompliant or pose the highest public health risk, thereby reducing regulatory burdens on compliant and low-risk businesses.

The consultation is relevant to local authorities and district councils, food business operators, third-party food safety assurance organizations, professional awarding bodies for environmental health and trading standards, trade unions and other stakeholders who are interested in sharing their views on the updated FHDM. Specifically, the proposed changes to the FHDM that are open to comment are:

• A modernized food hygiene intervention rating scheme (FHRS), including a decision matrix, to determine the appropriate frequency of food hygiene controls based on the risk posed by a food business establishment
• An updated risk-based approach to the timelines for initial official controls of new food establishments, and for undertaking due official controls
• 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   
• Extending the activities that officers, such as Regulatory Support Officers, who do not hold a qualification for food hygiene can undertake, if competent.

The consultations for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are available on the FSA website. All comments and views should be included in the consultation response form and emailed to hygienemodelreview@food.gov.uk.