A scheme requiring Welsh food businesses to display their hygiene rating is to become law.
The Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Bill was passed by the National Assembly for Wales this week and is awaiting Royal Assent to become an Act.
Wales is the first country in the UK to make the previously voluntary scheme compulsory.
Businesses will be rated with a score between zero and five, with zero meaning urgent improvement is necessary and five meaning hygiene standards are very good.
There is also a new duty on food businesses to tell customers their food rating if asked, either in person or over the phone.
Welsh Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Food hygiene is essential for the protection of public health. The rating scheme will help drive up standards and benefit both consumers and businesses.”
Cllr Dave Poole, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member of community and leisure Services, praised the passing of the bill and said: “I welcome this bill in the hope that it increases food hygiene standards in establishments and companies across the county borough.
“With clear signage stating the food hygiene rating of a business, people can make informed decisions on whether they want to eat or buy food from somewhere rated low on the scale. Hopefully this will ensure businesses keep their premises clean and safe in an effort to improve their rating.”
Food hygiene ratings of local businesses can already be checked at ratings.food.gov.uk
Bet you won't get this in the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail is an entirely English paper which makes no concessions to Wales's existance. It looks after Ireland and Scotland with separate editions. But the Welsh don't matter.