Anyone who wants to enjoy a meal out this Christmas can avoid their festive season being ruined by food poisoning with the help of a handy guide from the Council.
The Council has helped compile a handy list of food hygiene ratings for a wide range of outlets – from fast food joints to sit-down restaurants – so that diners can check out just how hygienic the eateries are.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates eateries and other places that sell food on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities, rates food outlets on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom (which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of five (‘very good’).
You can check the rating online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings, via a free phone app, or look for the distinctive green and black rating sticker that businesses are encouraged to display. Diners in Bath can also check out their local ratings via the Twitter feed @BathFood.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “If you’re organising a Christmas gathering with family, friends or work colleagues at a local restaurant, pub or hotel don’t just examine the menu – check what their hygiene rating is too.
“We’re pleased to report that of the 1,596 food outlets currently listed on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, 96 per cent have received the highest marks of 3 or above from Bath & North East Somerset Council. The scheme makes it easier for everyone to choose to eat out in places where food hygiene is taken seriously.”
Diners on the move who want to check out a food outlet’s hygiene rating can download the free FSA app for their Android, iPhone or Windows 8 mobile phones.
Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA, added: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a great tool when choosing where to eat out, particularly when celebrating a special meal, because it tells you what’s going in the kitchen and behind the scenes. For local eateries, a good rating will be good for business during the festive season.”
This Christmas, make sure one of your ingredients for a great meal out is a good hygiene rating. Before you book check out the food hygiene rating of your favourite places to eat at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.
