10 ways Safe to Trade builds on food hygiene ratings to keep you safer when eating out

You’ve seen those green stickers on restaurant windows showing a food hygiene rating. But did you know there’s a newer scheme that goes even further to protect you?

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) has helped raise hygiene standards across the UK since 2010. Safe to Trade builds on that success—adding extra checks, faster follow-ups, and more ways for you to stay informed.

Here are 10 key ways Safe to Trade adds extra layers of safety and transparency to your dining experience:

1. More Frequent Checks
FHRS inspections can be up to 3 years apart. Safe to Trade audits happen every year, with strict protocols and independent oversight. That means the checks are more current—and more consistent.

2. Faster Follow-Ups
If a business scores low under FHRS, it might take months before it’s rechecked. Safe to Trade requires issues to be fixed within 30–60 days, or the business risks being removed from the register.

3. Clearer Safety Signals
FHRS ratings range from 0 to 5, but even a “3” means some legal standards aren’t met. Safe to Trade keeps it simple: businesses are either Approved or not. If they’re Approved, they meet high standards across the board.

4. Real-Time Customer Feedback
FHRS doesn’t include a way for you to share your experience. Safe to Trade does. Just scan the QR code on the sticker to leave feedback—helping keep standards high and giving you a voice.

5. Better Allergen Control
Allergen safety is a growing concern, but FHRS only touches on it lightly. Safe to Trade takes it seriously—checking staff training, food prep, and how allergens are communicated to customers.

6. Menu and Labelling Checks
FHRS focuses on hygiene, not food labelling. Safe to Trade checks that menus are clear, accurate, and safe—so you know exactly what you’re eating.

7. Front-of-House Hygiene
FHRS looks at kitchens and prep areas. Safe to Trade also checks customer spaces like seating and toilets—because clean surroundings matter just as much.

8. Expert Auditors
FHRS inspections vary by local authority. Safe to Trade audits are carried out by certified professionals under strict quality controls—so you get consistent, expert-led assessments.

9. Smarter Technology
FHRS relies on local systems. Safe to Trade uses award-winning software to track standards in real time and spot trends—giving regulators and consumers better insights.

10. Ongoing Support for Businesses
FHRS offers limited follow-up. Safe to Trade provides technical advice and support to help businesses improve—so they can keep you safer and thrive at the same time.

Conclusion

FHRS and Safe to Trade both aim to protect you—but Safe to Trade goes further. It’s designed for today’s consumers, with more checks, more transparency and more ways for you to stay informed.

So next time you’re choosing where to eat, look for the Safe to Trade logo. It’s a sign that the business is committed to going above and beyond for your safety.
Which of these 10 differences matters most to you when eating out? Contact Us