Food Hygiene Rating Scheme Audit of Display and Business Survey 2021

Under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), places where food is supplied, sold or consumed are given a rating ranging from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating ‘very good’ food hygiene and 0 indicating ‘urgent improvement necessary’. In Northern Ireland and Wales, businesses are legally required to display their food hygiene rating sticker in a prominent place like the front door, entrance or window of the business. Businesses in England do not have to display their rating at their premises but are encouraged to do so. Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, food hygiene ratings are also available to search on the FSA website (Opens in a new window). The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has conducted research into the Display of Food Hygiene Ratings in England, Northern Ireland and Wales since 2011, although the research was paused in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the FSA commissioned IFF Research to update the research with the following aims: Provide a representative estimate of the display of food hygiene ratings by food businesses Explore the reasons and drivers for display and non-display Explore business awareness and attitudes towards the scheme Fieldwork in November and December 2021 comprised 1,522 covert audits of food businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and 1,500 telephone interviews of food businesses.