Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
The Food Hygiene Rating (NI) Act 2016 came into force on 7th October 2016 and makes it compulsory for all food businesses which have received a Statutory Food Hygiene Rating to display that rating in prominent positions at all public entrances. The Food Hygiene Rating given reflects the inspection findings and the scheme will help consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving the information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, and hotels, as well as supermarkets and other food shops.
Food businesses are inspected by our food safety officers to check that the hygiene standards meet legal requirements by looking at:
- How hygienically the food is handled – how the food is prepared, cooked, cooled, reheated and stored;
- The condition of the structure of the buildings – cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities;
- How the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe including having a safe catering / safer food better business pack or equivalent, the previous history of compliance and staff training.
There are six different food hygiene ratings (‘0’ up to ‘5’) that the business is given at the end of the food hygiene inspection – the top rating (5) represents a ‘very good’ level of compliance with legal requirements and all businesses irrespective of the nature or size of their operation should be able to achieve this. The food hygiene ratings are as follows:
5 – Very Good;
4 – Good;
3 – Generally Satisfactory;
2 – Improvement necessary;
1 – Major Improvement necessary;
0 – Urgent Improvement necessary.
Following the inspection, the food business will receive a valid food hygiene rating sticker which must then be displayed at each entrance to the premises.
There are many ways to check the food hygiene rating of local eating establishments; you can check the rating online, via the free phone app or look for the distinctive green and black rating food hygiene rating sticker that businesses now have to display.
Food Hygiene Ratings of Food Businesses in Derry City and Strabane District Council Area
Hygiene Ratings
FAQ's
Contact Details
For further information contact
Food Team on 02871 253253