In December 2008 the Food Standards Agency agreed a National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

It is now running in all areas of Wales, Northern Ireland and in 99% of England.

In practice the rating scheme is designed to ensure that businesses that are broadly compliant with food law and are managing food safety risks will receive a rating of three and those who are managing the risk well will receive a rating of four or five.

However, significant lapses in any of the scoring criteria can also have a significant effect on the rating.

From 6 April 2022, The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021 came into force, and meant that food businesses with 250 or more employees are required to display calorie information for non-prepacked food and soft drink items which they sell.

It is generally considered that:

• Restaurants,
• Cafes, and
• Takeaways

Are outlets that come under the Out of Home Sector, to which the law applies.

It is not just businesses that fall under the law as food and drink which is offered for sale in a form suitable for immediate consumption (either on or off the premises) with no further preparation.

The law states that the following information should be displayed:

• The calorie content of the food in kilocalories (kcal),
• Reference the size of the portion to which the calorie information relates to e.g. per meal or per item.
• Statement of daily calorie needs i.e. Adults need around 2000 kcal a day.

The law does allow for exclusions which are:

• Alcoholic drinks more than 1.2% ABV

• Items on sale for less than 30 days,

• Pre-packed food items.

Food safety has never been higher on the public’s agenda. UK consumers spend a massive £219 billion a year on food and drink, while the overall sector employs 3.9 million. Around 95% of inspected businesses score a hygiene rating of three or above. Make sure you’re not one of the 5% who don’t.

Food businesses must, by law, ensure that all staff have received the appropriate level of safety and hygiene training commensurate with their role and risk.

This level 3 food safety course meets all legal requirements for supervisors within a food business.

Implementing the knowledge you gain from this food hygiene training programme will improve food safety within your business.

This programme can provide the knowledge required for businesses that aspire to achieve a five-star rating in the national food hygiene rating scheme.

Learners will also be provided with a supporting PDF handbook.

If you are part of a team responsible for people’s nutrition and hydration, it’s important that you understand:

• The terms that are being used,
• The nutritional requirements of the service users, and
• The possible consequences of getting it wrong.