Food hygiene rating scheme celebrates first anniversary

Since the scheme came into effect in April 2011, people in the Horsham District now have better information about where to buy food, giving a real incentive for food businesses to seek to make improvements to their hygiene standards.

The scheme covers approximately 1,000 food businesses in the Horsham District - including restaurants, cafes, takeaways, caterers, pubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retail food outlets.

Food hygiene ratings are scored on a six point scale from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to five (very good).

The ratings are based upon food hygiene inspections carried out by HDC and take into account food hygiene and safety, structure and cleaning, and confidence in management.

Speaking about the scheme, Sue Rogers, HDC’s cabinet member for a safer and healthier district, said: “Not only does it allow consumers to buy with confidence, but it gives businesses an incentive to achieve excellence and high scores can be a way of helping them flourish.”

Every eligible food business inspected since 1 December 2010 has been rated and as of February 1 2012, almost 500 local businesses have been invited to display their scores,

Further information is available on the food safety pages of HDC’s website: www.horsham.gov.uk/health/12966.aspx or by calling HDC on 01403 215421.