(1)An operator of a food business establishment commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the operator—
(a)fails to display a valid food hygiene rating sticker in the location and manner prescribed;
(b)displays an invalid food hygiene rating sticker;
(c)fails to retain a valid food hygiene rating sticker;
(d)parts with possession of a food hygiene rating sticker to any person other than an authorised officer of a food authority;
(2)An operator of a food business establishment is also guilty of an offence if, without reasonable excuse—
(a)a person’s request to be informed verbally of the establishment’s food hygiene rating is denied; or
(b)a person making such a request is given false or misleading information about the establishment’s food hygiene rating.
(3)A food hygiene rating sticker remains the property of the food authority.
(4)A person commits an offence if that person—
(a)intentionally alters, defaces or otherwise tampers with a food hygiene rating sticker, and
(b)does so otherwise than for the purpose of removing it from display, or destroying it, in accordance with section 7(6).