Is naming and shaming erring outlets effective?
The name and shame policy of the government, under which names of erring eateries and food outlets are put on a website, has evoked a mixed response from customers and other stakeholders.
Some have endorsed the move, saying it will help improve quality, while others argue that it will not serve any purpose because people are not aware of it and they usually do not visit websites before going to a restaurant.
As part of efforts to improve quality and hygiene in restaurants and eateries, the government recently amended the food monitoring law No. 4 of 2014, which authorises the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to shut erring outlets and publish their names on its website and those of the departments concerned.
Many say the new policy has not started yielding results as customers are still visiting outlets found violating the consumer protection law, ignoring the fact that their names have been published on the ministry’s website.
When some restaurants reopened after being closed for a few days, they were full with customers as if the eateries had done nothing wrong. Patrons in these eateries raised questions about the efficacy of the name and shame policy.
Those who believe that such a measure will not prove effective cite two reasons: One, people do not use the Internet to select a restaurant for lunch or dinner; two, those who see the names of such eateries on the websites will forget them, as people have short memories.
“Big brands and high-end food outlets already maintain high quality standards. Eateries that often fail to maintain hygienic conditions and prescribed food quality standards are usually visited by limited income people who are not very Internet-savvy. So I do not think naming and shaming will have much impact,” said Tauseef Khan, a single worker who frequents Asian eateries.
Khan said: “Frankly speaking, generally, for low-income people from the Indian subcontinent who make up a significant proportion of the customers of such restaurants, hygiene is not a big issue. I believe they are more concerned with the price. To me, the food should be worth the price.”
Read more at The Peninsula
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On ministry food standards
Here's a thought the government should pink sticker which should be clearly displayed as you enter the establishment and if there is any offending restaurant or outlet you'll be able to link to the next thought which for those who are technically adept; is to possibly create an app which people can quickly and easily establish an understanding based on a percentage measurement. where they deem to be acceptable from say exquisite high end to above average being gold in color and average to adequate being stainless grey in color then unhealthy close the doors Red In color = based on health standard only . We should never put off the thought of proprietary standards in such cases as food outlets otherwise we may in the future become overwhelmed by market standards in the future that are established upon relaxed attitudes which may cause further more complex health issues in future.
So before we even step out we can see the standard. Just a thought
Cook and eat at home and maybe even there some may be able to set new standards at home where they will be comfortable because they may feel have less than adequate circumstances to lift standards in their own kitchens.
looking at those pictures; name and shame them regardless of whether or not it works...and one of the respondents says hygiene isn't a big issue for low income consumers, relative to price; i say show any potential customer those pics/kitchen and no price will be low enough to get them to eat it..
Why not do a scores on the door, so customers can see the hygiene rating of these premises
what is the link to the website?