First Xmas for Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

The ranks out of five (with five being the best) were created by Powys County Council which has inspected any premises that serve food to see how well the business is meeting laws on food hygiene.

 

The first marks released earlier this year created plenty of talking points with many regulars defending eateries that received poor marks. Of the 612 premises visited to date, 111 scored a five rating but 21 scored 0.

 

Steve Clinton, the council’s Public Protection Manager, said: “When dining out, you’ll choose to go to a place where you like the food and you know you’ll have a good time.  It makes sense to look before you book and check out the food hygiene rating as well.

“Nobody wants to have their Christmas festivities ruined and as far as food hygiene ratings go there’s safety in numbers – so it’s good to know.”

It’s easy to check out the ratings by looking them up online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and Christmas party goers can also look out for the distinctive green and black stickers that businesses are encouraged to display at their outlets to tell their customers the rating they were given.

What the inspection looks for:

- how hygienically the food is handled in preparation, cooking, cooling and storage.

- the condition and structure of the building including cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation, equipment etc.

- how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe.

Local authority food safety officers explain to the person who owns or manages the business if improvements need to be made; what they are and how they can achieve a higher rating.