Consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways

Abstract

Purpose: Foodborne illnesses are often attributed to food services such as restaurants and takeaways. This study aims to investigate consumers’ perceptions of regulatory food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways in UK.

Design: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 2024-March 2025, and 750 responses were received. Chi-square test was carried out to identify associations between demographic variables and checking of food hygiene rating or information. Ordered logistic regression was carried out to determine if demographics and eating out and/or takeaway consumption practices affect participants’ level of confidence in local authorities’ (LA) food hygiene inspections of restaurants and takeaways.

Findings: Females, individuals with food hypersensitivities, low-risk appetite, those who experienced food poisoning incidents and had reported food safety concerns to local authorities reported checking food hygiene rating or information more frequently. Our findings also revealed that participants who searched for food hygiene rating or information exhibited increased confidence in recent food hygiene inspections (less than a year).

Originality: This is the first study to explore the relationship between consumer perceptions of food hygiene inspection frequency and their confidence in local authorities’ inspection process. Our findings suggest that both perceived inspection frequency and food hygiene rating or information seeking behaviour can influence consumer confidence in local authorities’ food hygiene inspections.

Practical Implications: Local authorities should emphasise the importance of checking hygiene ratings or information before dining out or purchasing takeaways, especially for vulnerable groups. Although not mandatory, restaurants and takeaways in England and Scotland could make their hygiene ratings or information more visible and accessible to build public trust and encourage greater consumer engagement with food hygiene information. Additionally, public awareness on how food hygiene inspections are conducted and the factors influencing inspection schedules could further enhance consumer confidence in the inspection process.