New display for hygiene standards when eating out

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has signed up to up to the Food Standards Agency's national food hygiene rating scheme.

This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities in England, provides information on food hygiene standards to help people to choose where to eat out or shop for food. The new scheme will build on the success of the District Council's Gold, Silver, and Bronze scheme.

Food outlets, such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs, are inspected by food safety officers from Stratford District Council, to check that their hygiene standards meet legal requirements. The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom, which means 'urgent improvement necessary' to a top rating of five ('very good').

These ratings will be available for anyone to view on the FSA website at food.gov.uk/ratings  from February 2013 and the food business will be given a sticker and certificate and encouraged to display these at the entrance to their premises.  This is so that their customers can easily see them and decide if they want to go in.

Cllr Mike Gittus, Environment and Planning Portfolio says: “Although we have run our own successful food hygiene scheme, we have opted to change to the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, as we can see the benefits for local food businesses and the people that eat or shop in them. Having a single scheme which is consistent nationwide means that the rating will have the same significance wherever people are buying food. The public will be able to use the information when deciding which food outlets to visit, and we hope that food companies will recognise that displaying a good hygiene rating is good for business.'

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA said: “We recognise the real progress that has been made in improving hygiene standards in food outlets through 'local' food hygiene rating schemes. But having a single nationwide scheme will mean a level playing field for businesses across the country, and consumers will be able to recognise and use the ratings in their own area, as well as further from home. So it's great news that Stratford District Councilhave announced their intention to switch to the new national scheme."