New rules will force takeaways to promote food hygiene scheme on flyers and leaflets

Takeaways will have to promote the food hygiene ratings ‘scheme’ on leaflets and flyers in new rules which come into force in Wales from November.

The ‘halfway house’ measure stops short of forcing those food businesses where food can be ordered over the phone or online and delivered to show their own rating, opting to give takeaways the choice on whether to promote their ‘scores on the doors’ rating on leaflets or not.

Takeaways will however have to publish a bilingual statement on leaflets and flyers which show food for sale, the price and a way of ordering the food without visiting the premises, it will also have to show a statement which will remind customers they can check the specific food hygiene rating of that food business on the food hygiene ratings website.

The statement will also remind consumers they have a legal right to ask the food business for their food hygiene rating when they order.

If a takeaway decides to add their rating to a leaflet it must be displayed ion the correct Food Standards Agency format and be current.

The latest statistics show more than 60% of food businesses in Wales have been awarded the highest (very good) rating – a five. This is up from 33.2% in March 2012.

Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething said:

“The introduction of a statutory food hygiene rating scheme has been a big success story for Wales, helping to drive up food hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes and other food business right across the country.

“The scheme has provided important information for consumers when deciding where to eat out or buy food. This has, in turn, played a significant role in encouraging businesses to improve their food hygiene standards.

“These new measures will enhance the statutory Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in Wales by filling a gap – people ordering food by phone do not have the opportunity to see the food hygiene rating of the takeaway business before placing their order. The display of the statement on leaflets will encourage consumers to view the rating online and to ask the takeaway food business for their food hygiene rating over the phone before ordering.