Making our World a Safer Place to Eat

"I have to follow a completely gluten-free diet"

"Since my pregnancy I've really started watching what I eat"

"My partner has more than one food allergy"

"We care about the food our children"

"We want to know our favourite restaurant is keeping its standards up"

"We're both following a strictly vegan diet"

"We're on holiday, so we don't know the best places"

"I have strict cultural dietary requirements"

What is Safe to Trade?

Everyone has a right to expect the very best food standards; for people’s health, for the well-being of our communities and to reduce the burden on the NHS freeing up much-needed resources. Safe to Trade is here to make that change.

Safe to Trade is the first voluntary, third-party assurance scheme for the UK hospitality sector designed to protect and care for the public. It’s there to drive the highest standards and protect people’s health.

It helps everyone make informed decisions about where to eat, and at the same time, it helps businesses build trust and deliver amazing experiences for their consumers. By choosing to eat out in places that are ‘Safe to Trade’ certified, you are protecting the health of yourself and your family and helping to make the world a safer place to eat.

Did you know...

Over 50% of UK consumers have had food poisoning in the last 5 years?

Safe to Trade helps protect consumers by ensuring businesses meet rigorous safety standards

78% of people check hygiene ratings before eating out or ordering takeaway?

Displaying Safe to Trade certification builds trust and boosts customer confidence..

The most common food safety failure is missing date labels on opened food?

17% of all audit non-conformances relate to poor date coding and stock rotation.

Safe to Trade audits have uncovered over 6,800 non-conformances across 948 audits

That’s real data driving real improvements in food safety.

Vulnerable groups—like pregnant individuals and those with allergies—rely on visible safety signals

Safe to Trade provides the assurance they need to dine with confidence.

Local authority food hygiene inspections have dropped by 19% since 2013?

Safe to Trade fills the gap with independent, unannounced audits by qualified professionals.

600 million people globally suffer foodborne illness each year?

Safe to Trade is part of the solution—making our world a safer place to eat.

82% of Safe to Trade certified businesses hold an FHRS rating of 5 or FHIS Pass?

That’s top-tier food safety performance, verified.

Consumers feel most confident when inspections are recent—within the last year?

Safe to Trade’s ongoing verification model delivers real-time reassurance.

Making our World a Safer Place to Eat

"I have to follow a completely gluten-free diet"

"Since my pregnancy I've really started watching what I eat"

"My partner has more than one food allergy"

"We care about the food our children"

"We want to know our favourite restaurant is keeping its standards up"

"We're both following a strictly vegan diet"

"We're on holiday, so we don't know the best places"

"I have strict cultural dietary requirements"

What is Safe to Trade?

Did you know...

Over 50% of UK consumers have had food poisoning in the last 5 years?

78% of people check hygiene ratings before eating out or ordering takeaway?

The most common food safety failure is missing date labels on opened food?

Safe to Trade audits have uncovered over 6,800 non-conformances across 948 audits

Vulnerable groups—like pregnant individuals and those with allergies—rely on visible safety signals

Local authority food hygiene inspections have dropped by 19% since 2013?

600 million people globally suffer foodborne illness each year?

82% of Safe to Trade certified businesses hold an FHRS rating of 5 or FHIS Pass?

Consumers feel most confident when inspections are recent—within the last year?

Some key facts about How Safe to Trade works

Safe to Trade is governed by an Independent Governance Board (IGB).

Certification Bodies must meet ISO/IEC 17065 standards

Every Safe to Trade audit is unannounced and conducted by qualified Environmental Health Practitioners.

Businesses must address non-conformances within strict timeframes to stay certified?

The Safe to Trade directory shows which businesses are approved and which are ‘In Review’.

The Technical Standards Committee meets quarterly to keep the Standard up to date.

The Stakeholder Engagement Forum meets twice a year to shape the future of Safe to Trade.

Certification Bodies must maintain impartiality through risk registers, independent decision-making, and governance checks.

Safe to Trade conducts integrity audits on Certification Bodies.

Sub head Safe to Trade has applied for a Primary Authority National Inspection Plan.ing text

Want to find out more, or get involved?

Making our World a Safer Place to Eat

"I have to follow a completely gluten-free diet"

"Since my pregnancy I've really started watching what I eat"

"My partner has more than one food allergy"

"We care about the food our children"

"We want to know our favourite restaurant is keeping its standards up"

"We're both following a strictly vegan diet"

"We're on holiday, so we don't know the best places"

"I have strict cultural dietary requirements"

What is Safe to Trade?

Did you know...

Over 50% of UK consumers have had food poisoning in the last 5 years?

78% of people check hygiene ratings before eating out or ordering takeaway?

The most common food safety failure is missing date labels on opened food?

Safe to Trade audits have uncovered over 6,800 non-conformances across 948 audits

Vulnerable groups—like pregnant individuals and those with allergies—rely on visible safety signals

Local authority food hygiene inspections have dropped by 19% since 2013?

600 million people globally suffer foodborne illness each year?

82% of Safe to Trade certified businesses hold an FHRS rating of 5 or FHIS Pass?

Consumers feel most confident when inspections are recent—within the last year?

Some key facts about How Safe to Trade works

Safe to Trade is governed by an Independent Governance Board (IGB).

Certification Bodies must meet ISO/IEC 17065 standards

Every Safe to Trade audit is unannounced and conducted by qualified Environmental Health Practitioners.

Businesses must address non-conformances within strict timeframes to stay certified?

The Safe to Trade directory shows which businesses are approved and which are ‘In Review’.

The Technical Standards Committee meets quarterly to keep the Standard up to date.

The Stakeholder Engagement Forum meets twice a year to shape the future of Safe to Trade.

Certification Bodies must maintain impartiality through risk registers, independent decision-making, and governance checks.

Safe to Trade conducts integrity audits on Certification Bodies.

Sub head Safe to Trade has applied for a Primary Authority National Inspection Plan.ing text

Want to find out more, or get involved?

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