Food hygiene ‘smiley scheme’ would benefit all

The Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority (HS) last week announced the general findings of its hygiene investigation of restaurants across the islands.

In countries such as Denmark, consumers can visit any restaurant’s website and read about its compliance with rules and regulation, including details about food hygiene outlined in a simple ‘Smiley Scheme’.

But HS is not authorised to publish the details of its findings, and this is unfortunate, says Johannes Jensen, CEO of Gist & Vist, which runs 15 restaurants, three hotels and two cafés across the islands.

Increased transparency

The consumers have a right to be informed of the hygiene standards of the restaurants they want to visit, he says.

“With the current situation in the Faroes, the recommendations from HS are often too inconsistent. Different inspectors have different criteria, and it can be difficult to find an objective standard.”

Jensen is calling for a Smiley Scheme, as this would increase the standard throughout the country’s restaurant industry. 

“It would increase the transparency and objectivity,” he says. “This would eliminate any speculation and would be tremendously helpful not only for the restaurants but certainly also for the consumers.”

Translated by prosa.fo