Welsh Assembly proposes compulsory food hygiene law

Following the implementation of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) across England and Wales, Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones has outlined his intentions to draft a new law on food safety standards.

If carried, the reform will force businesses across the country to publically display their FHRS rating for people to judge for themselves the outlet's compliance with food safety legislation. The law would be the first of its kind across England and Wales.

The Café Minuet in Cardiff was one of the first establishments to voluntarily display their hygiene rating.

"We don't have to do it but I believe a five is fantastic and it draws people in - it's a bonus for us," owner Nadine Lodwick told the South Wales Echo.

Maria Battle, senior director of Consumer Focus Wales, at the time of the announcement, added: "We know that nine out of ten consumers have told us that they want this information".

The Scores on the Doors initiative forms part of the FHRS and is implemented by the Food Standards Agency and local authorities across England and Wales.