Eateries in Wales must display hygiene rating (From South Wales Argus)

Eateries in Wales must display hygiene rating

1:20pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

RESTAURANTS and cafes in Wales are to be forced to publicly display their hygiene ratings after AMs passed a new law.

Since last year, the principality has had a voluntary “scores on the doors system” for food hygiene, which sees premises rated from zero to five with zero the worst and five the best.

But despite concern from business leaders, AMs argued the current scheme does not go far enough.

Health minister Lesley Griffiths said the Assembly could be proud of the way it had committed itself to improving food hygiene in Wales after passing the Food Hygiene Rating Bill.

She said: “The scheme will enable consumers to make a more informed choice about where they choose to eat or shop for food, while good food hygiene means a higher rating which is good for business.”

But the Federation of Small Businesses Wales argued the voluntary scheme was already working and there were “contradictions” in the legislation.