Fast-track route to a good food-hygiene rating

Food business operators are being given the opportunity, under a recently launched scheme, to apply for a food-hygiene reinspection from Croydon Council at any time.

The previous three-month grace period before a reinspection – following an unannounced inspection – could take place has been removed, giving businesses liberty to apply at any time, and as many times as they wish.

Food businesses can include restaurants, take-aways, delicatessens and retail shops. Certain businesses, such as wholesalers and manufacturers, are exempt from the scheme.

Croydon’s food safety team carries out a risk-based programme of food-hygiene inspections to ensure that food sold to the public is safe to consume.

Most food businesses are part of the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme – operated by the Food Standards Agency. Following inspection, businesses are allocated a rating between 0 and 5, where 5 is very good.

Andy Opie, director of safety, said: “This new facility is a great chance for any food business that has had a disappointing rating following an inspection by one of our food safety team to have the business reassessed.

“It’s important for them to remember, of course, that they will have had to have undertaken any work recommended by the inspector, and that the work meets the required standard. A rating can go down, as well as up, so it’s important the work is satisfactory.”

Details of the new scheme can be found at www.croydon.gov.uk/business/foodsafety/food-hygiene-rating-scheme

2018-05-04T12:14:11+01:00 May 4th, 2018|Recent news|