West
Lancashire Borough Council, along with many other local authorities
across the country, adopted the National Food Hygiene Rating
Scheme on 1 June 2011.
The scheme is a Food Standards Agency and
Local Authority partnership initiative to provide the public with
consistent ‘at a glance’ information about hygiene standards found
in food businesses during the routine inspections carried out by
the Council’s Food Safety Officers. The aim is to help consumers
make informed choices about where they eat or shop for food.
The scheme is specifically aimed at premises
supplying food directly to consumers, which includes mobile
traders, takeaways, pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes and other
places where consumers eat out. However, places where public access
is limited, but where food is prepared cooked or handled and
served, such as care homes, hospitals, schools and nurseries are
also included. Places where people shop for food such as
delicatessens, bakeries and supermarkets will also be given a
rating. Each business is provided with a certificate detailing
their rating, which they are encouraged to display.
There are two groups of businesses where
customers might eat or buy food that are not given a hygiene rating
- as they are deemed ‘exempt’. These are:
- Businesses that are low risk to people’s health in terms of
food safety e.g. newsagents;
- Childminders and businesses that offer caring services at
home.
Exempt businesses are still inspected by the
Council, but they are not given a rating.
Find out more..
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