14.10.2015

Public Health Experts Call For Businesses To Be Legally Required To Display Hygiene Ratings

Public health experts have called for changes to make it a legal requirement that food businesses display their hygiene ratings after ‘zero’ ratings were given to 28 shops, takeaways and restaurants in Leeds.

The ratings, provided by the Foods Standards Agency (FSA), means that each of the premises require ‘urgent improvement’ in order to meet safety and hygiene standards.

According to reports in local media, the businesses highlighted as requiring urgent improvement will be investigated and monitored closely by Leeds City Council inspectors.

A further 164 premises, including 69 takeaways and 34 restaurants, were given a ‘one’ rating and require ‘major improvement’ in the handling of food, condition of the building and how the business is managed.

A spokeswoman from Leeds City Council told the Yorkshire Evening Post that inspectors will focus on non-compliant businesses and take enforcement action where necessary to ensure that the public are protected and to ensure food businesses are complying with the law.

Recent statistics revealed by the FSA show that the primary reasons given by businesses who choose to not display their food hygiene rating include poor or low rating having been awarded, disagreement with the rating or disagreement with the rating system itself.

Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and expert Public Health Lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who has represented hundreds of people affected by hygiene problems at restaurants and takeaways in the UK, said:

Expert Opinion

The number of premises in Leeds receiving a zero hygiene rating is extremely concerning.” <br/> <br/>“It is absolutely crucial the Council works with these businesses to improve their hygiene standards to prevent the public from being impacted by potential illness issues.” <br/> <br/>“We would also call on the FSA and local authorities to make it a legal requirement for shops, restaurants and takeaways to display their hygiene rating certificates, which it currently is not. This will provide consumers with more information and enable them to make an informed choice about where they buy their food.” <br/> <br/>“Hopefully, by taking this step and encouraging businesses to make positive hygiene standard changes the number of illnesses suffered by consumers, which can have long-term impacts on those affected, will be avoided in the future. Amandeep Dhillon - Partner