Food hygiene ratings must be displayed from next month

The Environment Department already inspects and ranks all businesses which sell food on a star-based rating system known as the Eat Safe Scheme. The scheme rates businesses on a scale of between zero and five stars.

Until now, only businesses with three or more stars have been allowed to display their ratings. However, from Friday 1 December, every business must display their rating and persistent refusal to do so could see the business land a £1,000 fine.

Director of Environmental Health Stewart Petrie said: ‘When we buy food from a business we expect the kitchen to be clean and free from vermin, and for the food to be produced hygienically.

‘Food poisoning of any type is incredibly unpleasant and for some people can result in life-changing illness.

‘Compulsory display of the Eat Safe sticker allows people to make an informed choice before deciding where to eat.’

The changes come as Beresford Street Kitchen, a charity-run café which provides employment and training for people with learning disabilities, was awarded its five-star
certificate for food hygiene.

Staff at the 80-seater café were presented with their certificate yesterday by Environment Minister Steve Luce.

Gabby Ellmers, managing director of BSK, said: ‘We are a brand-new business and we have got this very quickly at the first time of asking. The dedication of the people working here has been amazing – for a lot of them this is their first job.’

Ms Ellmers said that the social enterprise was giving people a ‘long-term training opportunity’.

‘We are training up a group of people who can work in the catering industry and will have a high
level of training and commitment to the job,’ she added.

‘We are trying to train up the next generation of assistant chefs and front-of-house staff.

‘We are looking for partnerships within the industry to provide work experience and onward employment.

‘We also are looking for sponsors to help us continue providing this training and to increase our remit because we know not everyone wants to work in hospitality.

‘We have a long waiting list of people wanting to work here and with future funding we will be able to offer more placements.’

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