Don’t let food poisoning ruin your festive celebrations

If there’s one thing guaranteed to ruin your Christmas meal out with friends, family or colleagues, it’s a nasty bout of food poisoning.

But if you’re eating out, how do you know if the restaurant owner takes food hygiene seriously?

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates eateries and other places that sell food on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by the council. What’s more, these ratings are available for everyone to see.

This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities, rates food outlets on a scale ranging from zero (which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of five (‘very good’). You can check the rating online, via a free phone app, or look for the distinctive green and black rating sticker that businesses are encouraged to display.

So if you’re organising a Christmas gathering with family, friends or work colleagues at a local restaurant, pub or hotel don’t just examine the menu, check the hygiene rating as well.

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA, said: “No-one wants to gamble with their health when eating out, particularly when celebrating a special festive meal. Our app makes it even easier for people to check hygiene ratings before deciding which place to visit.'

The free FSA app can be downloaded from Google Play (food.gov.uk/app-android) or iTunes (food.gov.uk/app-itunes). More information on the ratings is also available at facebook.com/FoodHygieneRatingScheme and via Twitter at #FHRS