Thursday 28 Nov 2013 @ 10:25
Welsh Government
Welsh Government
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Food hygiene ratings comes into force
All establishments that serve or sell food in Wales will now be required to display new food hygiene ratings provided from today (Thursday 28 November) following a new law introduced by the Welsh Government.
The scheme will cover places where people eat out, including restaurants, takeaways, mobile caterers, cafés, hotels and pubs; places where people shop for food, such as supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens; and establishments such as schools, hospitals, children’s nurseries and residential care homes.
Speaking at Eddie's Diner in Cardiff Bay which was awarded the maximum ‘5’ rating under the voluntary scheme in March 2013, Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“This is an important piece of legislation that will enable consumers to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat out or shop for food.
“People want to know that the places where they are buying or eating their food are hygienic and safe.
“It is not easy to judge hygiene standards on appearance alone, so the rating gives people information of the hygiene practices in the kitchen.
“The new scheme is also good for business in that establishments given higher ratings could see an increase in their trade."
Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed and controlled. A rating of 5 means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.
The new law means that food businesses will have to display new ratings provided from 28 November in a prominent place – such as the front door or window – and at every customer entrance.
Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.
Local authorities will begin to issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display them. As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website.
Related Websites
Food Standards Agency
The scheme will cover places where people eat out, including restaurants, takeaways, mobile caterers, cafés, hotels and pubs; places where people shop for food, such as supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens; and establishments such as schools, hospitals, children’s nurseries and residential care homes.
Speaking at Eddie's Diner in Cardiff Bay which was awarded the maximum ‘5’ rating under the voluntary scheme in March 2013, Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford said:
“This is an important piece of legislation that will enable consumers to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat out or shop for food.
“People want to know that the places where they are buying or eating their food are hygienic and safe.
“It is not easy to judge hygiene standards on appearance alone, so the rating gives people information of the hygiene practices in the kitchen.
“The new scheme is also good for business in that establishments given higher ratings could see an increase in their trade."
Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed and controlled. A rating of 5 means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.
The new law means that food businesses will have to display new ratings provided from 28 November in a prominent place – such as the front door or window – and at every customer entrance.
Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.
Local authorities will begin to issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display them. As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website.
Related Websites
Food Standards Agency
