Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require food outlets to display food hygiene ratings.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is operated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Food businesses covered by the scheme are provided with stickers showing their rating. Those in Wales and Northern Ireland are already required by law to display the stickers at their premises, while those in England are encouraged to do so.

The FSA is finalising an evidence-based case for a statutory mandatory display scheme which will be submitted for ministerial consideration and ultimately cross-Government approval.