Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to ensure that stringent food hygiene standards are in place in cafes and takeaways during the easing of the covid-19 restrictions.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), is the Government department with responsibility for food safety. The FSA provides guidance and direction to local authorities on undertaking inspections and other interventions of food businesses to ensure that they are meeting food hygiene requirements and on taking action where they do not.

During COVID-19, the FSA’s direction to local authorities has been, and will continue to be, to take a risk-based approach. The focus is on urgent reactive work and undertaking remote or onsite intervention at poorly compliant and other high-risk businesses. This will ensure that food safety risks are identified and addressed, and public health is protected.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme continues to operate providing the incentive for businesses to achieve high standards and enabling informed consumer choice.