Everywhere that sells food in the UK has to adhere to strict health and safety standards set out in law. If a takeaway or restaurant falls short of these standards, the local council have the power to force the owner to rectify the situation or face fines or even closure to protect public health. 

Since Nov 2010, the Food Standards Agency working with local councils in the UK, have used a Food Hygiene Rating system as a way to easily help the public make an informed decision on a companies hygiene standards.

Premises that serve food are inspected on a regular basis and awarded a food hygiene rating between 0 and 5 as follows (this distinctive green sticker should be clearly displayed in public view on the premises):

• 5 – hygiene standards are very good
• 4 – hygiene standards are good
• 3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory
• 2 – some improvement is necessary
• 1 – major improvement is necessary
• 0 – urgent improvement is required

Why start a petition?
The reason for this petition is that at the moment, it's not against the law in England if you choose not to display your food hygiene rating, its only 'encouraged'. Needless to say, surprise, surprise, if you look down a typical high street you only ever see food hygiene ratings displayed if they are (usually) between 4 and 5. You may get the odd 3 displayed too, but you can bet that you will struggle see a rating in a shops window that's 2 or below.

The worrying thing is that a recent report by the Food Standards Agency found that there are an unbelievable 72% of these retailers out there, with a low rating of 0-3, quietly serving food to adults and children keeping their green hygiene rating sticker hidden from the public.

The net result is that the public go into a restaurant or takeaway unaware that the premises could have serious issues with their food management, cleanliness and staff hygiene/training. They could literally be taking your life in their hands.

Thankfully, Wales and Northern Ireland have already made it the law to display a hygiene rating. I think its imperative that England follows suit.

The Food Standards Agency research
The Food Standards Agency commissioned independent research to assess the proportion of food businesses that are displaying their food hygiene ratings since 2011. Their report findings from the 2017 wave of research found that England continues to lag way behind Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of display rates:

The report found that only 49% were displayed in England, compared to 84% in Wales and 82% in Northern Ireland. The report concluded that compulsory display would likely have a big impact upon display rates in England, as seen in Northern Ireland and Wales.

The report also found that over two-thirds (67%) of those with a rating of 5 are displaying their rating compared to just 28% of those that have a rating of 0-3.

The vast majority of businesses (95% in Northern Ireland and 98% in Wales) are aware that display is mandatory. Most are positive about the scheme, with 80% in Wales and 79% in Northern Ireland saying it is a good idea or they understand why it is necessary.

In England, business attitudes towards compulsory display are also positive, with over three-quarters (77%) saying the introduction of compulsory display would be a good thing. Although attitudes seem positive, the reality still remains that many thousands of customers still get serious food poisoning from retailers, most thankfully recover, but some aren't so lucky. 

Groups such as the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and Local Government Association are in favor of a mandatory system in England. The Food Standards Agency also wants it but this involves primary legislation and government approval is needed.

Which? Magazine:
"One in five food companies received a zero, one or two rating"
Which? magazines findings on display rates in England, looked at Food Standards Agency data in early March 2020 for 384 local council areas in the U.K. and found businesses in parts of London, Birmingham, Southend, Mansfield and Bolton were the worst for hygiene.

England’s five worst areas were all in London. In Ealing, nearly one in five food companies received a zero, one or two rating. Which? also found a similar proportion of poorly rated food businesses in Enfield, Lambeth, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

The Which? survey concluded: “There is strong evidence to suggest that food businesses up their game when they know they will have to prominently display their hygiene rating. It must urgently become mandatory for food businesses, including restaurants and takeaways, to display their score on the premises and online, so customers can make informed choices.”

Please sign this petition the help get this law passed
Let's get this written into law. Let's make it illegal not to CLEARLY display a food hygiene rating and ensure severe fines are imposed on those who refuse to do so. 

Not only will this enable the public to make an informed decision about the premises they dine in, but it will also encourage restaurant owners to do something about a low rating if they get one, as it will be displayed for all to see. 

Lets make this law- please sign this petition.

Click here if you want to learn more about the food Standards Agency research into food hygiene rating display rates.

Click here if you want to learn more about the food hygiene rating system from the food standards website.