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Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

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Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Bill

The consultation document explains what we consider the Bill should contain and asks for comments on the proposals.

Compulsory ‘Scores On The Doors’ scheme to be introduced

Food businesses such as restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets will be required by law to display food hygiene ratings at their premises under new plans.

The proposals are in a draft Bill for consultation, designed to:

  • provide consumers with more information about where they eat or buy food
  • raise food hygiene practices among businesses and
  • improve public health by reducing the incidence of food-borne illness.

Introduction of a mandatory food hygiene rating scheme is a commitment in the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and would be the UKs first compulsory scheme.

The scheme

Under the scheme, businesses will be rated with a score between 0 and 5 – with 0 meaning urgent improvement is necessary and a 5 rating meaning hygiene standards are very good.

The rating will be based on criteria including food handling standards – such as how the food is prepared, cooked, cooled and stored – and the condition of the premises.  

Businesses will be required to display their score in a prominent position such as at the entrance to their premises – for example, their ‘score on the door’ – or face a fine.  Food hygiene ratings will also be available online.

It is expected that the earliest a mandatory scheme will come into operation will be 2014, with a lead-in time from when the legislation is passed to allow businesses time to prepare.

Inspections

As in the current voluntary scheme, the frequency of inspections will be based on an assessment of risk to the consumer, such as the type of food business, the nature of the food and the size of the business.

Businesses will be able to request a re-rating inspection and they will also be able to appeal against their score if they consider it unjust or unfair.  

The legislation proposes the introduction of fixed penalty notices of £200 for offences such as non-display of a rating with discounts for early payment.  There are also powers to prosecute with a proposed maximum fine of £1000.

Food businesses will also be offered assistance to improve their scores.  The Food Standards Agency will continue to make funding available to Welsh local authorities so that they can carry out advisory visits to businesses to help them improve their food hygiene ratings.