MORE than half of food businesses in Wales have been awarded the highest ratings for their food hygiene standards, a report published today shows.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey about the statutory standards scheme’s first year of operation after legislation was passed in Wales to make it compulsory for businesses to display their ratings, shows 56 per cent of food businesses achieved a five rating in the year to November 2014.

There has been an 11 per cent increase in five-rated premises in Wales since mandatory display of food hygiene ratings was first introduced in November 2013, up from 45 per cent.

The percentage of food businesses where improvement is required fell to seven per cent between November 2013 and November 2014, from 14 per cent. The number of businesses with the lowest zero rating has fallen from 0.6 to 0.3 per cent.

The non-statutory food hygiene ratings scheme was introduced in 2010, however businesses did not have to display their ratings. The Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013 made it compulsory for all food businesses to publicly display their food hygiene rating on their premises, following inspections, from November 2013.

The FSA’s report found the requirement to display the rating has been a major motivation in encouraging businesses to improve their food hygiene standards.

“The scheme has provided important information for consumers when deciding where to eat out or buy food. This shows that the statutory scheme is having the desired effect,” said deputy health minister Vaughan Gething.

“This is a good example of regulators working together with food businesses in support of a common agenda.”