If you have been to the UK lately, you have probably seen a food hygiene rating displayed at a food business. This is awarded following an official inspection and provides a snapshot of the standard of food hygiene and the processes in place to ensure food safety at the premises.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has opened a consultation to gather opinions from Irish consumers and Irish businesses on the introduction of a similar scheme here.
The consultation closes on 23 June 2025 and the questions can be accessed via https://www.fsai.ie/news-and-alerts/latest-news/consultation-opens-on-national-food-hygiene-rating and clicking on the link ‘Food hygiene rating schemes consultation’ at the bottom of the page.
This is an important issue as it enables consumers to make informed choices about the food businesses they frequent and may lead to food business operators ‘upping their game’ to ensure compliance with their food law obligations.
Once the consultation has closed, a report will be presented to the Department of Health with evidence-based recommendations on whether to implement a national food hygiene rating scheme.
If the report recommends that the scheme is introduced, the display of the food hygiene rating must be compulsory. Failure to do so will result in any potential benefit for consumers being lost.
Ireland operates a national environmental health service which strives to undertake its responsibilities in a fair, proportionate and consistent manner. These qualities will be to the fore if the scheme is to be introduced in Ireland.
Although the consultation closes in June 2025, the report to the Department of Health is unlikely to be submitted until early 2026 and any final decision will not be taken for some time after that. Nevertheless, this is another example of the FSAI’s proactive commitment to fulfilling its vision of ‘safe and trustworthy food for everyone’.
This article is provided for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Formal legal advice should always be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action.
Ian Thomas also practises from Gough Square Chambers, London – ian.thomas@goughsq.co.uk