An investigation has reignited calls for mandatory display of food hygiene ratings across England, after uncovering widespread discrepancies between advertised and actual hygiene standards.
The BBC probe, conducted across various food establishments in east London, revealed that both local restaurants and large supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s were misleading customers by displaying incorrect ratings. In one of the most striking findings, businesses were showcasing higher Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) scores than they had actually earned, leaving customers unknowingly exposed to substandard food hygiene practices.
As of September 2024, the London borough of Waltham Forest was found to have the highest proportion of businesses with poor hygiene standards, with many rated between 0 and 2 stars. For context, the FHRS rates establishments on a scale from 0 (requiring urgent improvement) to 5 (very good hygiene), with the highest rating representing safe and well-maintained food practices.
Growing Pressure for Change
New data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that while two-thirds of businesses in England display a hygiene rating sticker, the rest either don’t show their ratings or display misleading ones. The call for mandatory rating displays has gained momentum, with more than four in five English businesses backing the move.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is leading the charge, stating that mandatory displays would boost consumer confidence and compel businesses to improve their hygiene standards. Chris Elliott, Vice President of the CIEH, stressed the importance of empowering consumers with accurate information. “Food hygiene ratings give customers the transparency they deserve to make informed decisions about where they eat or shop,” Elliott said. “With overwhelming business support, the government must act now to make this a legal requirement.”
Despite strong advocacy from the FSA and CIEH, England remains the outlier. While Wales and Northern Ireland have long required businesses to display their food hygiene ratings, establishments in England are not bound by such rules, allowing them to conceal low scores if they wish.
Not Without Flaws: A Welsh Court case as an example
Even in countries with mandatory display laws, problems can persist. In a recent high-profile case, the Buddha Buddha Restaurant in Tenby, Wales, was found displaying an outdated rating of 5 when the establishment had actually been rated 1 during an inspection. The owner, Sanu Miah, failed to correct the rating or pay the penalty, resulting in a court case and a fine.
Jacob Williams, from Pembrokeshire County Council, emphasized that proper display is crucial to the system’s success. “Displaying the correct food hygiene rating is not just a legal obligation—it’s a public right,” Williams said. “When businesses fail to comply, they undermine the entire system.”
The Future of Food Hygiene Transparency in England
With growing consumer awareness and increasing pressure from industry leaders, the debate around mandatory food hygiene rating displays in England is heating up. The FSA, along with public health advocates, hope the government will finally push this long-delayed legislation forward, aligning England with its UK counterparts and offering greater protection to consumers.
Source: FSN
Reach out to Fresh Group Food Safety And Quality Consulting for any inquiries related to food quality and safety.
