Food hygiene rating probe prompts mandatory display calls

An investigation into businesses showing incorrect food hygiene ratings in England has renewed calls for mandatory display.

The BBC visited dozens of establishments in east London and found businesses ranging from small local restaurants to the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s misleading customers with inaccurate Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) scores.

The investigation revealed that, as of September 2024, the London borough of Waltham Forest had the highest percentage of establishments in England and Wales rated zero to two stars on the food hygiene scale. As part of FHRS, outlets are given a score from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating ‘very good’ food hygiene and 0 meaning ‘urgent improvement necessary’.

Case for mandatory display

The latest Food Standards Agency (FSA) data shows that in England, just over two-thirds of 485 businesses audited displayed a food hygiene rating sticker.

More than four in five businesses in England agreed that introducing a legal requirement to display their food hygiene rating sticker was a good idea.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) said mandating the display of food hygiene ratings in England would help improve standards and increase compliance with food hygiene laws.

CIEH said England lacks a clear opportunity to secure consumer confidence and further protect public health. 

Chris Elliott, vice president at CIEH, said: “Food hygiene rating schemes provide consumers with information about the hygiene standards at food establishments, enabling them to make informed choices about where they eat and purchase food.

“With more than four in five businesses in England supporting the introduction of mandatory display of FHRS, there is no need for further deliberation. The new government must now introduce this long-awaited ask and align the UK’s statutory food hygiene standards.”

The Food Standards Agency has long advocated for making the scheme mandatory in England, but the government must make the final decision.

Welsh court case

In Wales and Northern Ireland, displaying a rating is mandatory, but English establishments can choose whether or not to show their ratings.

However, a recent case in Wales shows mandatory display does not solve all problems.

Buddha Buddha Restaurant in Tenby displayed a hygiene rating of 5 when the current score was 1. A rating of 1 was issued following an inspection of the premises by Pembrokeshire County Council in November 2023.

When the site was revisited in January 2024, the previous food hygiene rating of 5 was displayed at the entrance instead of the actual rating of 1.

A fixed penalty notice was issued to Sanu Miah, the operator of Buddha Buddha, but he failed to pay. Appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court in September, Miah pleaded guilty to failing to display a valid food hygiene rating. Magistrates fined Miah £200 ($262) and awarded the council costs of £500 ($655). A victim surcharge of £80 ($105) was also imposed.

Jacob Williams, from Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “It is very important for the success of the food hygiene ratings legislation that food businesses comply with the requirement to display the correct food hygiene rating for their premises.

“Failure to do so deprives consumers of information they are legally entitled to view to help make informed decisions about where they eat. The council is keen to ensure that all businesses display their ratings correctly and will take appropriate action where businesses fail to do so.”

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