Roll out of Highland Food Hygiene Information Scheme

More consumers in Highland will now have a way to find out how well local food caterers and retailers are performing thanks to the complete roll-out of the Food Hygiene Information Scheme across the area.

The Highland Council is one of the 32 Scottish local authorities taking part in the Scheme.  The scheme covers a wide range of food businesses including takeaways, food retailers, cafes, restaurants and pubs. They are given certificates relating to their last hygiene inspection to be voluntarily displayed in their premises. The results will also join the food hygiene ratings for over 31,000 Scottish food businesses that can be found at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.

Initially developed by the Food Standards Agency Scotland, the scheme was piloted in Scotland for two years and has the backing of Scottish consumer organisations and industry. It is now running in 27 local authorities across Scotland with the other Councils working towards launch.

In Highland the scheme has been rolled out since May 2012. The website now covers 3,300 Highland food businesses and also provides apps that consumers can download for their telephones to allow searches while away from their homes.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the TECS Committee said: “I am pleased that The Highland Council has completed the rollout of this scheme. It will help members of the public make an informed choice about where they choose to eat and I encourage all businesses meeting the pass standard to display their Pass Certificates. If any food business operators have concerns or queries on food safety they should contact the Council’s local Environmental Health offices for free advice.”

Alan Yates, the Council’s Environmental Health Manager, added: “We estimate about 84 per cent of food businesses passed their last inspection.  An ‘improvement required’ rating may be down to minor issues but in some cases it may be a result of significant health hazards. In these circumstances we will usually use our formal powers to protect the public. The publication of inspection ratings should encourage food business operators to fully comply first time with food safety legislation and also to contact council officers once any issues have been rectified.”