Published: Thursday, 6th October 2016
Cannock Chase is ranked in the top 10 Districts in the country, when it comes to the proportion of businesses that pass food hygiene inspections, according to a recent Guardian report.
Cannock Chase Council, along with all other local authorities in England and Wales, participates in the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. This scheme provides consumers with information about hygiene standards in food premises, at the time they are inspected by local authority officers to check compliance with legal requirements.
A business can be given a rating from 0 up to 5 following a visit by an officer. This is based on how well the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law. In particular:-
- How hygienically the food is handled - safe food preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage
- The condition of the structure of the premises and the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities
- How the business manages food safety and the inspector’s confidence that standards will be maintained in the future
Councillor Muriel Davis, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Leader said “We are delighted to be ranked in the top 10 in the country for our food hygiene ratings; with 99% of the businesses we have inspected being rated at three or better. This is testament to the good work and efforts of our officers and the vast majority of responsible businesses who try hard to ensure the correct procedures are being followed and that all hygiene standards meet legal requirements. We encourage all residents to look out for the black and green rating sticker, which should be displayed in the window of all food businesses.”
Anthelo Kristo, Owner of Bridgtown Chippy said “We took over the chip shop in 2014 and at that time it had a 3 rating. The Food Safety Officer from Cannock Chase Council visited our premises straight away, this was invaluable as we applied the advice given and worked together. We appreciate the time that Cannock Chase Council has given us to offer advice; our staff have also received practical hand washing training, all of this has helped us to achieve a very good rating.”
Ratings can be viewed by going online at www.ratemyplace.org.uk and http://ratings.food.gov.uk/