Big thank you from Lisburn.com

New way to check out hygiene standards in local food outlets

by JENNY MONROE

Pictured outside Classic China which has achieved a 5 rating for its food hygiene under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, and inspected by Lisburn City Council, are Cllr Andrew Ewing, Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee; Mr Robert Lamont, Food Safety Officer, Lisburn City Council and Mr Lin, Proprietor of Classic China.

Pictured outside Classic China which has achieved a 5 rating for its food hygiene under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, and inspected by Lisburn City Council, are Cllr Andrew Ewing, Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee; Mr Robert Lamont, Food Safety Officer, Lisburn City Council and Mr Lin, Proprietor of Classic China.

A NEW system for rating hygiene standards in eateries across the city has been launched in Lisburn.

The Council is now operating the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) across the City instead of 'Scores on the Doors'.

The FHRS is run by the Foods Standards Agency in Northern Ireland but the monitoring is carried out by the Council's Environmental Health Unit.

A business receives a rating based on information from routine food hygiene inspections carried out by Council Food Safety Officers.

Would-be diners can now check out Food Hygiene Ratings online and they can also look out for the scheme's green and black stickers and certificates that food businesses are displaying in their premises.

The Chairman of the council's Environmental Services Committee, Cllr Andrew Ewing, who visited the 5-rated Classic China in Antrim Street, said: "When going out for a meal or stopping off at lunchtime for something to eat we all want to know about the standards that exist for hygiene and food preparation.

"I am delighted that this superb restaurant is hosting the Chinese Olympics Gymnastics Team during their stay in the City, à ringing endorsement for the quality of its food.

I am pleased that the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme has been implemented by this Council. I would like to commend the officers from the Council who carry out hundreds of food establishment inspections across the whole City of Lisburn area. I'm sure many of our residents have seen the recent television campaign from the Food Standards Agency" he said.

Under the scheme, food businesses are rated on a scale of zero to five, with zero meaning 'urgent improvement necessary' and the top rating of five representing a very good' standard of food
hygiene. Around three quarters of food businesses in Northern Ireland have received one of the top two ratings.

Although businesses are not legally obliged to show their rating in their window, Northern Ireland has the highest rates of display throughout the UK, with half of businesses choosing to display their ratings. Diners can now check out food hygiene ratings for premises in the City area on www.lisburncity.gov.uk

Pictured outside Classic China which has achieved a 5 rating for its food hygiene under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, and inspected by Lisburn City Council, are Cllr Andrew Ewing, Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee; Mr Robert Lamont, Food Safety Officer, Lisburn City Council and Mr Lin, Proprietor of Classic China.

jenny.monroe@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
20/07/2012