Food, Drink & Hospitality Food, hospitality and tourism Wales

Comply with mandatory food hygiene rating display in Wales

Wales is one of only two UK nations where displaying your food hygiene rating is a legal requirement. This guide explains how to comply with the Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013, including where to display your sticker, your duty to provide rating information on request, what happens if you do not display, and what to do if you disagree with your rating.

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If you run a food business in Wales, you must display your food hygiene rating where customers can see it. This has been a legal requirement since 28 November 2013 under the Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013. Wales was the first country in the UK to make display mandatory.

Unlike England and Scotland, where display is voluntary, failing to show your rating in Wales is a criminal offence. Your local authority can issue a fixed penalty notice or prosecute you. The display duty applies to your physical premises; you must also provide information about your rating if a customer asks, including when they order online or by phone.

This guide covers everything you need to do to comply, from displaying your sticker at the right location to meeting the information-on-request duty. The display duty attaches once your rating is notified to you -- if you have not yet received a rating, there is no statutory duty to display, though your local authority may provide an "awaiting inspection" notice you can choose to display.

What the law requires

The Act creates two main duties: a duty to display your rating sticker at your premises (section 7), and a duty to provide information about your rating when a customer asks (section 8). Both carry the same penalties for non-compliance.

Physical display at your premises

You must display the official food hygiene rating sticker issued by your local authority. The sticker must be placed at a conspicuous location at each entrance used by customers, so that it is visible to anyone entering or considering entering the premises.

Providing rating information on request

If customers order from you without visiting your premises -- online, by phone, or through a delivery platform -- you must tell them your current rating if they ask, including verbal requests. There is no statutory duty to display your rating online, but the Food Standards Agency strongly encourages it on your website, social media pages used for food ordering, and third-party delivery platforms.

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    1. Display your official rating sticker at each customer entrance

    Place the sticker issued by your local authority at a conspicuous point at every entrance used by customers. It must be visible before they enter the premises. Do not use photocopies, home-made versions, or stickers from a previous rating. If your sticker is damaged or lost, contact your local authority for a replacement.

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    2. Tell customers your rating when they ask

    If customers can order food from you without visiting your premises -- online, by phone, or through a delivery platform -- you must provide information about your current rating when asked, including verbal requests. Train staff who take phone orders so they can answer accurately. Displaying your rating on your website and social media is not a statutory requirement but is strongly encouraged; the Food Standards Agency provides official digital assets you can download from the FHRS website.

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    3. Check third-party platforms show your correct rating

    If you sell food through Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or similar platforms, check that your listing shows your current rating. Keeping platform listings accurate helps you meet the duty to give customers correct rating information and protects your reputation.

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    4. Update your display after any new rating

    When you receive a new rating after an inspection or re-rating visit, replace your old sticker and update any online displays immediately. Displaying an old, higher rating is an offence.

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    5. Know your position before your first inspection

    The display duty attaches once your rating is notified to you. If you have registered but not yet been inspected, there is no statutory duty to display anything -- though your local authority may provide an "awaiting inspection" notice you can choose to display. Once you receive your first rating, you must display it.

Exemptions

Most food businesses in Wales must display their rating, but a small number of categories are exempt. Check whether any exemption applies to your business before assuming you must display.

What happens if you do not display

Your local authority enforces the display requirement. If an authorised officer finds that you are not displaying your rating, the authority can take enforcement action.

If you disagree with your rating

You still must display your current rating even if you believe it is wrong. However, you have three options to challenge or improve it:

  • Appeal -- if you think the rating is factually wrong or the inspection process was flawed, you can appeal to your local authority within 21 days of receiving the rating.
  • Right of reply -- you can submit a written statement explaining your view, which will be published on the FHRS website alongside your rating.
  • Request a re-rating -- if you have made improvements since the inspection, you can request a re-rating visit at any time. Your local authority will charge a fee for this.

For full details on each of these options, see How to appeal your food hygiene rating in Wales.

What to do next

If you are setting up a new food business in Wales, register with your local authority at least 28 days before you start trading. After registration, your first inspection will be arranged and you will receive your rating.

If you already have a rating, check that your physical sticker and all online displays show your current rating. If anything is missing or out of date, correct it immediately to avoid enforcement action.

Official guidance and services