Council launches Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in Ballymena

YESTERDAY, Monday, saw Ballymena Borough Council launch the National ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’ with the aim of improving food safety standards in local restaurants and food outlets.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) rates the food hygiene standards of local businesses where people can eat or buy food, from cafes and restaurants to supermarkets and delis.

It is a Food Standards Agency and Local Authority partnership initiative which aims to help the public make informed choices and to encourage food businesses to raise their standards.

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In Northern Ireland, the Scheme is now being operated by 24 councils in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency with the remaining two local authorities due to join later this year.

Under the scheme, food businesses are rated on a scale of ‘0 to 5’ with zero meaning ‘urgent improvement necessary’ and the top rating of five representing a ‘very good’ standard of food hygiene.

Food Safety Officers from Ballymena Borough Council carry out regular unannounced inspections of all food businesses in the Ballymena Borough Area and the results of these inspections inform the rating that the business receives.

Ratings on a scale of zero to five are displayed on stickers at premises, and are also published online.

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Three quarters of food businesses in Northern Ireland have received one of the top two ratings.

Michael Jackson of the Food Standards Agency said the scheme had received a mostly positive response since it was introduced just over a year ago.

“It is providing businesses with the motivation to do improve their standards, which is good for everyone.”