All food business operators receive food safety and hygiene inspections from local authorities.  During these inspections, food business establishments are given a rating using a scale of 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest) based on how they store, prepare and cook food, the conditions at their premises and the food safety management at the venue.

The majority of food businesses in Wales have received a rating of 3 or above.  However, startling figures have recently been revealed by the Food Standards Agency highlighting that one third (12,499 of 34,655) of registered food businesses in Wales had been found to be in breach of food hygiene legislation.

Most cases were dealt with by written warnings but formal enforcement action, including prosecutions, had increased from the previous year.

There had been a notable increase (27%) in the number of complaints to local authorities by members of the public about food safety and hygiene at food businesses across Wales.

In 2016/2017 there were 25 food businesses prosecuted by local authorities for serious hygiene offences including pest infestations.

Should you have any questions about your obligations in food safety law and food hygiene law, or in the event that you receive a food hygiene rating that is lower than anticipated, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400.