Informing the public about food hygiene ratings
9Offences
(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).