Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing , and Chair of the Food
Standards Agency, Professor Susan Jebb, welcome the significant
improvement in hygiene ratings for Welsh food businesses on the
10th anniversary of mandatory display of food hygiene
ratings.
71% of Welsh food businesses now have the top hygiene rating of 5
– a jump from 44% from 10 years ago – making it the highest on
record in Wales.
In 2013, Wales became the first country in the UK to make it a
legal requirement to display hygiene rating stickers in prominent
places, like front doors and windows of food businesses.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme has helped drive up hygiene
standards in food businesses across Wales with 96% of businesses
now displaying a rating of ‘3’ or above.
Clear displays of hygiene ratings have helped in empowering
consumers to make informed choices about where they buy and eat
food every day, but also encourages food businesses to improve
their hygiene standards.
Local authority teams undertake inspections and give food
businesses ratings ranging from 0-5.
Good hygiene ratings have proven to be good for business too -
giving a competitive advantage to those showing that they take
food hygiene seriously.
FSA research has also shown that premises with higher ratings are
less likely to have outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said:
“Everyone in Wales deserves to enjoy their food, with full
confidence that it has been prepared in a hygienic manner - the
mandatory display of food hygiene ratings has done just that.
Not only is it beneficial for consumers, but businesses too. And
I'm delighted to see that the number of food businesses with a
‘5’ rating is the highest it’s ever been in Wales
I am thankful for the close and collaborative work of Welsh local
authorities and the Food Standards Agency, in helping to
implement the statutory Food Hygiene Rating Scheme over the last
10 years.
The regular engagement with food businesses has been vital to the
scheme’s success and helped in driving up food standards to where
they are today.”
Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency,
said:
“The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is rightly celebrated as one of
the most significant public health achievements of the
21st century.
The striking black and green stickers on display at restaurants,
cafes, supermarkets and online, are a simple and transparent way
of giving people the reassurance 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 allows people to vote with their feet or by a click of
a button and choose those businesses that take food hygiene
seriously.
I’m grateful to the Welsh Government for their commitment to
making this a mandatory requirement which has been crucial to the
Scheme's success.
I look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship both
with Welsh Government and Local Authorities to ensure people in
Wales are still empowered to make more informed choices about
where they buy and eat food every day.”
Richard Holt, owner of Melin
Llynon in Anglesey, said:
"To me, a top rating reflects the value my team and I place on
meeting the highest food safety and hygiene standards possible.
I'm very proud of the 5 in my window.
Anyone thinking of starting a food business should reach out to
their Environmental Health Officer and take advantage of the
advice and support they can offer.
My EHO is an encyclopedia of knowledge and I’ve found the support
they’ve given me incredibly useful.”
Notes to editors:
- Tuesday 28 November 2023 marks exactly 10 years since it was
made a legal requirement in Wales to display food hygiene ratings
in food businesses.
- 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 Food Standards Agency (FSA) website: food.gov.uk.
- The FSA is the government department responsible for food
safety in Wales, England and Northern Ireland. They work with the
Welsh Government to set the standards for how the Food Hygiene
Rating Scheme should be run in Wales and provide local
authorities with guidance and support.
- The Royal Society for Public Health included the FHRS on the
list of the top 20 public health achievements of the 21st
century.
- The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme was voted the 13th best public
health innovations in the 21st century by the Royal Society for
Public Health, alongside the indoor smoking ban and the HPV
vaccination for boys and girls.
-
Research by FSA
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.
- 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 71.2.4% by
October 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 October 2023.
- More information on the scheme: Food Hygiene Rating
Scheme | Food Standards Agency
