felsted hygiene

Hygiene in Welwyn Hatfield eateries under the spotlight

By Kelly-Ann Kiernan , Chief Reporter Wednesday, July 18, 2012
6:25 AM

FOOD hygiene standards at your favourite restaurant, public house or takeaway can be discussed with environmental health officers tomorrow (Thursday).

Officers will be in the Howard Centre, WGC, from 9.30am to 4pm showing shoppers how their favourite food establishments have scored for hygiene standards.

All food outlets are regularly inspected by local authority food safety officers to check their hygiene standards meet legal requirements.

Hygiene standards are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom (urgent improvement necessary) to a top rating of five (very good) under a system called the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

Around one million people suffer from food poisoning every year in the UK and the Food Standards Agency hopes the scheme will reduce this number.

Welwyn Hatfield councillor Bernard Sarson said: “The ratings give consumers a glimpse of what has gone on in the kitchen of where they eat, or behind the scenes at the places they shop, before they make a decision about which place they want to visit.

“It’s a valuable scheme and this is a great opportunity for people to find out more.”