Under current rules, food businesses in England are not mandated by the FSA to display their rating, whereas it is a requirement by law in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Melissa Haskell, regulatory and licensing partner at Knights and food safety specialist, has urged firms in England to start preparing for the eventuality after a BBC investigation revealed that a Sainsbury’s store with a zero-star rating had been displaying inaccurate signage which indicated that it had a five-star rating.
Using hidden cameras, the BBC observed that a Sainsbury Local store on Leyton High Road in East London, along with other food businesses in the area, were misleading customers through the use of inaccurate signage on the storefront and online.
Acknowledging the findings of the investigation, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Food safety is our highest priority and 95% of our stores have a five-star food standards rating, which we proudly display to our customers.
“We’ve removed an outdated rating sticker at our Leyton High Road Local store and have reviewed our procedures to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We also continue to make improvements at the store and its rating has increased."
Rules changes likely
While the display of food hygiene ratings is not currently mandatory in England, Haskell predicts that this could soon change.
“The FSA is currently pushing to make accurate displaying of food hygiene rating scores mandatory in England, just like it already is in Wales,” she told Food Manufacture.
“There’s no set date on when it’s going to come in but when it does, businesses will need to be prepared to display their rating, no matter what it is, and therefore should look to make practical adjustments.”
Haskell believes that the potential rule change should not be something to “fear” and explained that displaying a rating can reassure customers and industry partners that the proper standards are in place.
“Businesses should not fear food hygiene ratings but embrace it,” she continued.
“In an era of greater consumer consciousness of food hygiene standards, displaying a food safety rating goes a long way to demonstrate that food and premises are clean, safe and compliant with food safety law.”
On the subject of securing a good rating, Haskell added: “Achieving a five-star rating reflects a high level of competence and confidence in the management of food safety within the business. This includes proper record-keeping, staff training, and a commitment to maintaining rigorous food safety practices.”
