A recent survey indicated 62% of responders are likely to eat out during December and the New Year and when choosing “where to go, 71% of these said they would consider the quality of the food and 66% the price.”
Only 36% however said they would “consider the food hygiene rating when deciding where to eat out over the festive period”. But with FSA research identifying “that food businesses rated 2 or below are twice as likely to be linked to food poisoning outbreaks compared with those rated 3 (generally satisfactory) or higher”, perhaps, it might not be the merriment that causes the issues!
The FHRS has grown considerably since its inception with over 430,000 businesses covered across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with:
- 97% of these businesses achieving a rating of ‘generally satisfactory’ or better and 78% rated ‘very good’; and
- Since 2013, the proportion of businesses achieving the top rating has risen by more than 24%.
The scheme is only as good as how it is used and so having a thought to where you might be considering eating is a very wise starter! Another consideration is that whereas in Wales and Northern Ireland it is a legal requirement for food businesses to display their rating, in England as yet, it is not, so would be very worth asking the question too if nothing is being displayed in a food business, you’re thinking about eating in.