Thanet District Council Environmental Health Officers have been busy over the past few months inspecting premises in Thanet that prepare, sell and serve food as part of its participation in the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. To date, great progress has been made with a total of 392 premises inspected; 92 more than the council’s target of 300.
The National Food Hygiene Scheme is run by the council in partnership with the Food Standards Agency and helps people to choose where to eat out or shop by supplying information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways and hotels as well as supermarkets and other food shops. The council is responsible for carrying out inspections of food businesses to ensure that they meet the requirements of food hygiene law which include: how hygienically the food is handled – how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored; the condition of the structure of the buildings – the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities and how the business manages what it does to make sure food is safe the officer can be confident standards will be maintained in the future.
The council then issues a food hygiene rating based on the results. This rating is then published online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings where a mobile app is also available to download to view ratings on the move.
83% of properties inspected so far in Thanet have received a rating of 3 stars or above and only two have been subject to formal closure.
Cabinet Member for Community Services, Cllr. Iris Johnston said: “The health and safety of our residents and visitors is always a concern for the council which is why I am extremely pleased that the National Food Hygiene Rating System has been successfully implemented across Thanet. The overall ratings show that standards are high in the district which is good news for residents and visitors.
I have always been aware of the very difficult but vital work our Environmental team undertakes and since taking on the portfolio in October I have reason to be very impressed and grateful to them. They carry out many duties that the public rarely hear about and it is to their credit that they have been able to continue with these as well as exceed their inspections target.
I would also like to thank all of the businesses involved for their cooperation and commitment to keeping standards high ensuring that Thanet can be proud of its food hygiene.”
Date: 13 January 2014
PR No: 3785
Status: For Immediate Release
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