‘Wake-up call’ for c-stores as analysis shows grim picture of hygiene

A recent analysis has painted a grim picture of hygiene standards in convenience stores as compared to retail giants, highlighting the urgent need for underperforming retailers to prioritize hygiene and implement robust measures to bridge the gap with top performers.

Food Guard, a trailblazing food safety software company, has released a comprehensive analysis of UK supermarket hygiene ratings from 2022 to 2024. Utilizing data from the Food Standards Agency’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), the study reveals concerning disparities and identifies the retailers falling short in the crucial aspect of hygiene.

The analysis paints a grim picture for Premier and Londis, with a staggering 12.12 per cent and 12.91 per cent of their stores receiving a dismal 0-2 star rating, respectively. Nisa also faces significant challenges, with 5.48 per cent of its stores falling into the same category. These figures are particularly alarming when compared to the industry leaders, Marks & Spencer’s and Waitrose, which boast an impressive 98.48 per cent of their stores with a 5-star rating.

The 2022-2024 analysis highlights the urgent need for underperforming retailers to prioritize hygiene and implement robust measures to bridge the gap with top performers. Spar and The Midcounties Co-operative also have substantial room for improvement, with 25.00 per cent and 16.33 per cent of their stores, respectively, falling into the 3-4 star rating bracket.

“Food Guard’s analysis serves as a wake-up call for UK supermarkets,” said Louis Ryan, Food Safety Director at Food Guard. “As consumer expectations continue to rise, retailers cannot afford to compromise on hygiene. Our software solutions provide the tools and insights needed to drive meaningful change and ensure the highest standards of food safety.”

The 2022-2024 analysis emphasizes the critical importance of continuous monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and proactive interventions to address hygiene shortcomings and maintain consumer trust.

The analysis is based on publicly available FHRS data, processed using Food Guard’s proprietary software. Food Guard acknowledges that individual store performance may vary and encourages consumers to verify local store hygiene ratings.