News story

RHE Global

Looking Again at the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

By Jeremy Manners, RIAMS Chief Editor

RHE Global logo
RHE Global logo
RHE Global logo

RHE Global

1 Oct 2024

Hands holding grapes
Hands holding grapes
Hands holding grapes

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a campaign to encourage food businesses to display their food hygiene rating online, something which is not currently required in England, Northern Ireland or Wales.   

The requirement to display food hygiene ratings in any format varies across the UK. In Wales and Northern Ireland, displaying the rating is mandatory, and there are high levels of compliance. In England, it is voluntary, and consequently, fewer food businesses make the choice to display their ratings anywhere, let alone online.   

Food Standards Scotland runs a separate scheme entirely (Food Hygiene Information Scheme), and displaying ratings is also voluntary for food businesses.   

FSA-commissioned research (available via the FSA press release) indicates that despite it being commonplace for food businesses to use social media and websites to take food orders, as well as making use of third-party food ordering and delivery apps, only 8% (averaged across England, Northern Ireland and Wales) display their food hygiene rating.  

This is despite over two-thirds of businesses confirming, when surveyed, that displaying their rating increased their business. Other survey results indicate that food hygiene is important to consumers (although possibly not until they find a problem). 

We published a blog in June discussing the food hygiene rating scheme and highlighting that consumers do not rely soley on the food hygiene rating when deciding where to make a purchase. Consumers base their decisions on a range of factors including price and convenience. And similar thinking comes out of this research.  

Most businesses that took part in the FSA survey supported the idea of a mandatory scheme to display food hygiene ratings – even those in England where it is not a requirement. Businesses liked the idea of “transparency, maintaining and improving business standards and consumer empowerment.”  This is incredibly positive but as mentioned in the June blog, for the scheme to be effective and consistent across each country, it needs to be adequately resourced and implemented by local authorities, with appropriate numbers of well-trained professionals such as Environmental Health Practitioners. Resources are tight and trained officers are in short supply, with many universities experiencing declining numbers.  

It sounds like consumers and businesses are currently on board, so we need to support confidence in the scheme for it to flourish and improve.  Displaying ratings online is surely a no-brainer but lets also think about keeping it up to date relevant. Could allergen management and information be included, to help the estimated 2.4 million adults in the UK currently living with a confirmed food allergy (FSA, 16 May 2024) feel better informed, increase public trust and food safety standards. 

RIAMS Libraries has a selection of newly reviewed procedures and documents to support food safety officers working in England, Northern Ireland and Wales deliver Food Hygiene Rating Scheme inspections, revisits, and appeals. For subscribers visit RIAMS Libraries or to request a free trial contact [email protected] 

Officers can also join the conversation with other food safety professionals, by visiting the RIAMS Communities -Food Safety discussion group for peer-to-peer support, collaboration, asking questions and sharing best practice. Joining is FREE for those with a GOV.UK email address. 

It remains to be seen whether the food hygiene rating scheme will be enhanced or changed in any way, or whether gentle encouragement to voluntarily display food hygiene ratings at all customer access points including online will make a difference. But whatever the outcome, local authorities and food safety officers need to be well resourced and well trained to ensure food hygiene standards and public safety continue to foster consumer confidence through high levels of compliance and robust enforcement. 

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© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.

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© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.

Don’t miss a thing

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© 2024 RH Environmental Limited trading as RHE Global. All rights reserved.