Display of Food Hygiene Ratings to Become Compulsory

Food businesses will have to display their food hygiene rating from October 2016

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme helps consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by providing information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels and other places where food is served. When food businesses are inspected by a food officer a hygiene rating will be awarded which shows how closely the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law.

Change to the law

Currently it is not compulsory for food businesses in Northern Ireland to display their food hygiene rating. However the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who run the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, is bringing legislation through the NI Assembly to make it compulsory for a food business to display its rating.

There are two stages to this process:

  • The Food Hygiene Rating Bill to be passed by the NI Assembly – set to be completed in December
  • Once the Food Hygiene Rating Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes an Act then the FSA will launch a public consultation on the regulations

It is planned that food businesses must then display their food hygiene rating from October 2016.

Source: nibusinessinfo.co.uk