New national food hygiene scheme launched in Rugby

Rugby residents can now compare the food hygiene ratings at their local pub, café, restaurant, supermarket or takeaway against other outlets across the country, after Rugby Borough Council joined the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

Rugby Borough Council was among the first local authorities to publish food hygiene inspection results in the form of its ‘Scores on the doors’ scheme, which rated premises as gold, silver, bronze or unrated. Now the council has switched to the new national rating scheme, which rates premises between zero and five.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme was launched recently and was developed by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities in England. All food outlets in the borough including market stalls, takeaways and supermarkets will now receive a rating from 0-5 from the council’s Environmental Health team.

The team at Rugby has always regularly inspected food premises to ensure they are complying with food hygiene law. Staff check that food is handled, cooked and stored hygienically, the premises are in good condition and record keeping follows the legislation. After each inspection, the premises will be given a score where 0 means 'urgent improvements are needed' through to 5 which is 'very good.'

Sean Lawson, Rugby Borough Council Head of Environmental Services, said: "We have always advocated publishing food hygiene inspection ratings as it improves standards and helps people make informed decisions about where to eat and where to buy their food.

"We would encourage customers to check the rating of premises, which should be clearly displayed at the premises before buying any food. If you can't see the rating certificate then please ask the business why they are not displaying it, as the ones with a good rating should be keen to tell you about it.

“We don’t only inspect premises, however. We do also offer businesses advice and guidance to help them improve their hygiene standards or, where necessary, take immediate action to shut dangerous premises down.”

The scores are available via the councils’ website at www.rugby.gov.uk/scoresondoors or directly from the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings. Most food premises also display their score in their premises either as a sticker or a certificate.