Buying food at a market stall

Food stalls sell everything from bread and cheese to something hot to eat on the spot.

Markety Limited is a separate company, and this free page has no connection with it.

Hygiene ratings for stalls

Councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland inspect food businesses and give them a hygiene rating from 5 to 0, under the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Ratings go to places where food is supplied, sold or eaten, and the FSA's own list includes food vans and stalls.

The top rating is 5, for very good hygiene. The bottom is 0, which means urgent improvement is needed. Each rating reflects the standards seen on the day of the last council inspection, and the FSA notes it tells you nothing about food quality or customer service.

In England a business may choose whether to put its sticker on show, and the FSA encourages it to. Businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland have a legal duty to display it. Staff can tell you the rating if you ask. The FSA puts the ratings that councils send it on its ratings website.

A low-risk business, such as one selling only pre-wrapped goods that don't need a fridge, is inspected but not given a rating, the FSA says.

Scotland has its own scheme, run by Food Standards Scotland. After an inspection, a food outlet there is given a Pass or Improvement Required, and some low-risk outlets are listed as Exempt Premises.

Asking about allergens

Food law requires 14 allergens to be declared, the FSA says. Celery, crustaceans such as prawns, eggs, milk, peanuts and sesame are among them.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the FSA says, food sold loose, at a bakery, a butcher's or a deli counter for instance, still comes with allergen information. Every loose item made with any of the 14 needs it. The stallholder can write it down or tell you in person, and if they tell you, a sign must say how to get it.

Food packed before you choose it is labelled differently. A sandwich, a salad box or a wrapped burger packed by the stall's own business is one example. The FSA says it must carry a label with its name and a full list of its ingredients, with the allergens picked out.

For an allergy to something that isn't on the list of 14, the FSA suggests reading the label or asking the person serving.

Stalls are registered too

GOV.UK says food business registration applies wherever a business sells food or drink, including from a stall or van. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a business has to register with the council at least 28 days before it starts trading.

If you think food made you ill

The FSA's advice is to see your GP for medical advice and to contact your local environmental health or food safety team.

Useful links