‘Look before you book’ this Christmas, says Food Standards Agency

FSA is calling on people to check the food hygiene ratings of restaurants before booking Christmas meals out

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling on people to check the food hygiene ratings of restaurants before booking Christmas meals out with family and friends. A poll released today found that 37% of adults in the North West of England never check the food hygiene ratings of places they plan to eat in.

This is despite 38% of people in the North West reporting that they have had a bad experience when eating out and suspecting they contracted food poisoning from a restaurant or takeaway.

The findings of the FSA poll released this week show 21% of adults in the North West plan to book their festive meals over this week and next.

A significant portion (63%) say they will be responsible for booking a meal for family and friends this Christmas, with the biggest concern of the North Western meal planners being that the food won’t be enjoyable (25%). However, only 3% of people reported that restaurants’ food hygiene standards were their main concern.

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme, said: “Nobody wants the embarrassment of booking a Christmas meal that is less than perfect. The people we spoke to through our poll spend a lot of time and effort planning festive meals to make sure their family and friends have a good time, yet very few make food hygiene a priority.

“We are urging everybody in the North West to look before they book if planning that special Christmas meal. It’s quick and easy to check a restaurant’s food hygiene rating online – just go to the FSA website: www.food.gov.uk/ratings. If you’re out and about, you can also check for the green and black ratings sticker on display and if you can’t see one just ask.”

Environmental Health Officer, Emma Richbell said: “Most restaurants have a rating of 3 or above, however, as an inspector, I often think consumers would be surprised at which restaurants fall short of good practice. I’d urge everybody to look at the official food hygiene rating, rather than chance it by choosing a place they think will be okay.”

Restaurants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are given a ‘hygiene rating’, which shows how closely the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law. Ratings range from zero being the worst to five being the best. These results are available on the FSA website but many restaurants also display a green and black ratings sticker in their window or door.

For more information or to check the food hygiene rating of your local restaurant, takeaway or café visit: www.food.gov.uk/ratings.