Jeff Rooker, Chair of the FSA, said: ‘I am pleased that most of the London boroughs are joining the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, especially with the influx of visitors for the start of the Games later this month. People living, working or holidaying in London will be able to use the scheme in the knowledge that the same standards have been used to judge food hygiene in all the boroughs and across the country. Telling consumers about hygiene standards in food outlets gives them greater choice and the power to vote with their feet – they are able to choose to eat at the places with the highest standards and avoid those that don’t meet the grade.’
This national scheme was introduced by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Following inspections by local council food safety officers, the hygiene standards are rated on a scale ranging from 0 at the bottom (which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of 5 (‘very good’).
