Independent appeals process should be included in Food Hygiene Rating Bill – says National Assembly committee

4 October 2012

An independent appeals process should be part of the Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Bill, according to a National Assembly for Wales Committee.

The Bill would make it statutory for businesses in Wales to display their food hygiene rating prominently. Presently, displaying the information is voluntary although all ratings are available to view on a dedicated website (www.food.gov.uk/ratings).

The National Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee agreed with the main principles of the Welsh Government’s proposed law in its Stage One report, but believes an independent process to appeal ratings would be more robust, transparent and give confidence to businesses and the public.

The Committee was also convinced of the merits of publishing inspection reports in full, and was grateful for the indication from the Minister for Health and Social Services that she would consider publishing inspection reports and requiring food businesses to put a link on their websites to the FSA website.

“The Committee believes that the Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Bill will fulfill its purpose,” said Mark Drakeford AM, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.

“But the inclusion of a transparent independent appeals process would give confidence to businesses in the food service sector and the general public.

“We welcome the commitment by the Minister for Health and Social Services to give further consideration to this recommendation.”

The next stage is for the National Assembly for Wales to agree and vote on the general principles of the Bill. That debate is due to take place on 16 October 2012.