It’s 10 years since Wales led the way as the first country in the UK to make the display of food hygiene ratings a legal requirement.

Since November 2013, businesses in Wales have been required by law to display their food hygiene rating sticker in a prominent place – such as the front door, entrance or window.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme has delivered lasting benefits to consumers and businesses and is rightly celebrated as one of the country’s most significant public health achievements of the 21st century.

A decade on, the scheme has driven up standards in food businesses on Anglesey with over 86.5% of businesses displaying a rating of 5 and 98.4% with a rating of 3 or above.

Anglesey’s Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change, Councillor Nicola Roberts, said, “The striking black and green stickers on display at restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and online give people the reassurance they seek that businesses on Anglesey are taking food hygiene and standards seriously.

She added, “Food hygiene rating stickers are a simple and transparent way of displaying the results of the hygiene inspection conducted by our officers. The scheme gives consumers confidence that food is being prepared and served in a clean and hygienic way, and the business is meeting its legislative requirements for food hygiene.”

The scheme empowers people to make informed choices about where they buy and eat food every day. And the benefits do not stop there – the mandatory display of ratings also encourages food businesses to improve their hygiene standards.

All food businesses are able to achieve the top rating of ‘5 – very good’ by doing what is required of them under food law. Remember, a good hygiene rating is good for business – offering a competitive advantage to those who receive top hygiene ratings.

The impact of the scheme should not be underestimated. Hygiene standards in food businesses have improved as a result of the mandatory scheme, with 96% of businesses in Wales now displaying a rating of ‘3’ or above. Research shows that businesses with higher ratings are less likely to be responsible for outbreaks of foodborne illness.

Nathan Barnhouse, Director of the Food Standards Agency in Wales, said, “We are proud to deliver the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in partnership with Local Authorities and Welsh Government. Local Authorities are essential to the success of the scheme. Through their regular engagement with food businesses, they have played a key role in driving up hygiene standards to where they are today. The scheme allows people to vote with their feet or by a click of a button and choose those businesses that take food hygiene seriously.”

Ask about the Food Hygiene Rating, look for the sticker, or check online before purchasing food.

Ends 27 November 2023

Notes to editors:

• Local authority teams undertake inspections and give food businesses ratings ranging from 0-5.
• In Wales, these ratings must be displayed in a prominent place such as on the food business’ front door or window as well as via the FSA’s website: ratings.food.gov.uk.
• Research by the Food Standards Agency shows that foodborne illness outbreaks are twice as likely to occur at businesses with low ratings than in those with a rating of 3, 4 or 5, ultimately benefiting consumers.
• In 2020 the scheme was identified in the Royal Society for Public Health’s top 20 public health achievements of the 21st century, alongside the ban on smoking, traffic light labelling on foods and the soft drinks industry levy (sugar levy).
• Evidence from Wales suggests that mandatory display increases the incentives for business to improve and maintain compliance. In September 2013, 44% of food businesses in Wales achieved the top rating of 5, this increased to 71.2% by November 2023.
• 87% of food businesses in Wales had a rating of 3 or above in 2013 before the introduction of mandatory display – this has risen to 96.4% by November 2023.
• All businesses in Wales must provide information on their rating verbally if requested, in person or over the phone.
• The scheme also applies to businesses who sell to other businesses, including food manufacturers and wholesalers.
• The scheme requires establishments that supply takeaway food direct to consumers to publish a bilingual statement on certain hardcopy publicity materials directing customers to the food hygiene ratings website: ratings.food.gov.uk.
• The Food Standards Agency is the government department responsible for food safety in Wales, England and Northern Ireland. The FSA works with Welsh Government to set the standards for how the FHRS should be run and provide local authorities with guidance and support.
• You can find more information about the scheme via the FSA’s website: Food Hygiene Rating Scheme | Food Standards Agency