Pubs warned over false hygiene ratings

Some food businesses have been fraudulently displaying higher hygiene scores than those awarded under the FSA’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).

At present, businesses do not legally have to display their hygiene rating sticker or certificate.

But putting a hygiene rating on show is seen as a good advertisement for businesses that meet the requirements of food hygiene law. 

The Welsh Government is making it a legal requirement for businesses in Wales to display their ratings sticker. This is expected to start later this year.

An FSA spokesman said displaying a fraudulent rating is easy for food businesses to do but local authorities display food hygiene ratings on the FSA website, so consumers can check the authenticity of a rating.

He added: "All businesses are given a certificate [and sticker] to display at their premises with their rating but there is clearly scope for them to display a fraudulent rating.

"We have received a small number of reports of businesses displaying an incorrect score at their premises.

"These were then referred to the local authority responsible for inspecting and rating the business."

There are currently no checks in place to stop fraudulent score claims but the FSA said local authority food safety teams will act on any tips received from their officers, trading standards, the FSA and the public.

The spokesman added: "If an incorrect rating is used to mislead the public or misrepresent the food business, then it may constitute an offence under trading standards legislation — for example, under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations."