Take a Look Before You Book

Date of Release: Thu 2nd February, 2012

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and you might be thinking about a place to take a loved one to go and eat.

North West Leicestershire District Council is urging the public to check the food hygiene rating level when eating out at local restaurants, pubs or hotels.

Environmental Health Officers at the Council regularly check hygiene standards, including how food is handled, prepared and stored. Premises are then rated between zero and five. Premises with a rating of two or three have shown satisfactory or good standards on inspection.

You can check food hygiene ratings online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings or alternatively look at the food hygiene rating stickers usually displayed in the premises window.

Councillor Alison Smith Deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Services said: “Appearances can be deceptive. Even if a pub or restaurant looks clean and tidy, it’s worth asking what their food rating is. While we have a number of three-star and above eateries in North West Leicestershire, there is a small but worrying number of premises still rated zero or one. We want to see them improve their standards and we try to work with them to help achieve this. We will take enforcement action, if necessary, to ensure standards are improved.”

For more information call 01530 454545.