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08/10/2012 Craven is one of the safest places to eat in the Country

Following the launch of the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in April Craven has been declared one of safest places to eat in the country.

The National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a Food Standards Agency and Local Authority partnership initiative to provide consumers with at-a-glance information on hygiene standards in food businesses assessed during planned inspections, carried out by Craven District Council's Environmental Health Officers. The aim is to help consumers make informed choices about where to eat out or shop for food. Craven District Council launched the scheme on 1st April 2012.

The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom (which means 'urgent improvement necessary') to a top rating of five ('very good'). The ratings are awarded based on food hygiene and safety standards found at the time of inspection in the following three areas:

The rating given by the FSA does not reflect the quality of food or the standard of service provided to customers.

Mark Richardson, Environmental Health Manager at Craven District Council says "Most of our food premises in Craven have a rating of 3 or above. Craven has one of the lowest percentages of 0, 1 and 2 ratings and no failures (0 rating) have been awarded to date. These results make Craven one of the safest places to eat in the country". The Introduction of new guidance in 2012 following a number of E-Coli outbreaks across the country has led to Environmental Health Officers spending more time on inspections and to work with local businesses to ensure full compliance and keep the ratings previously given and maintain the standards expected by consumers.

Leader of Craven District Council, Chris Knowles Fitton says: "Being part of the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme has clear benefits for our residents and visitors who can use the information in deciding which food outlets to visit. In future when eating out at one of the many food businesses in Craven they can be confident in the knowledge they are eating out in one of the safest places in the country."

The ratings are available to the public on the Food Standards Agency website (http://ratings.food.gov.uk/) and via the Food Hygiene iPhone and Android app created by the FSA.

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