"there are businesses out there who are willing to flout the law"
It has been revealed that several Asian food stores have been displaying fake hygiene ratings.
An undercover BBC investigation captured London-based businesses ranging from small local restaurants to Sainsbury’s misleading customers with inaccurate Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings.
The hygiene ratings inform customers about the cleanliness and safety practices of establishments that sell food.
The ratings are based on factors such as food handling practices, facility cleanliness and overall food safety management.
Low scores can indicate poor cleaning practices, inadequate temperature control of food or pest infestations. Such conditions can lead to bacterial growth, cross-contamination and, ultimately, a higher likelihood of customers falling ill – in some cases seriously.
Under the FSA’s scheme, businesses are ranked from zero to five, with those scoring below three described as in need of improvement.
In Leyton, Nadeem Halal Meat & Grocery lied about their ratings when asked about them.
A three of three was displayed in the window. But in actual fact, the rating was zero.
When questioned, a manager said:
“Don’t worry, never a problem, never nothing.”
However, an FSA inspection found filthy conditions and a lack of food safety awareness among staff.
Meanwhile, Cafe Mondial displayed a rating of four, with a manager insisting:
“Four is good. Nearly five.”
In reality, the cafe had a rating of one.
At Pizza & BBQ Express in Lea, an undercover BBC reporter expressed concern about a previous stomach issue.
But the manager claimed the takeaway had a five-star rating, encouraging the reporter to “look at the outside” for confirmation of the rating. In reality, the rating was zero.
A five-star rating was displayed at Midland Supermarket, despite the real score being one.
When questioned, the manager said: “Five means it’s excellent. One is a low. Zero is the lowest. Five is top class.”
Meanwhile, FSA inspectors found the store had been selling food well past its expiration date, putting customers at risk.
BBC investigated food shops in London that falsely advertised they had a 5* hygiene rating when really they had 0 stars pic.twitter.com/d9hzIpvm7a
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) October 8, 2024
Food safety lawyer Jon Payne said businesses that lied about their food ratings were potentially committing fraud.
He said: “It makes me cross to see there are businesses out there who are willing to flout the law and put people at risk.
“The BBC investigation has quite clearly shown that there are a lot of people out there who are willing to break the law.
“Those that have lied about their food hygiene ratings are committing criminal offences; they are effectively criminals.”
“Where there is a deliberate attempt to deceive a customer, that’s where it’s fraud. They know about it, they’ve done nothing about it. That’s fraud.
“Dealing with food is a serious matter. Anybody who is selling food is providing a customer with something that they put into their body and ultimately can kill them.”
Mr Payne highlighted that it is a widespread issue.
He added: “This happens throughout the country.
“I and many other lawyers come across this every few months at work.
“And it’s not just limited to small establishments, it can happen in bigger premises as well.”
It also raises questions about the effectiveness of England’s voluntary display system for food hygiene ratings.
Displaying a rating is mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas businesses in England can choose whether or not to show their ratings.
According to the FSA, displaying incorrect ratings was potentially illegal.
Its latest audit showed 91% of English businesses displayed the correct ratings, adding that it had long advocated for making the scheme statutory in England but that the final decision was one for the government.