Aberdeen food hygiene inspection results at a glance

Friday 21 September 2007

Ref: 16/07

Almost eighty per cent of food businesses participating in a pilot scheme in Aberdeen currently meet the legal requirements for food hygiene.

These figures are available as part of a Food Standards Agency Scotland scheme, which applies to all food businesses in Perth and parts of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fife and Renfrewshire.

Visitors to the Food Hygiene Information Scheme roadshow in the city’s St Nicholas Street next month will be able to find out how to access this information themselves.

Around 3,000 establishments are involved in the initiative in total and have been asked to display certificates prominently on the door or window of their premises.

These certificates saying 'Pass', 'Improvement Required' or 'Awaiting Inspection', clearly show how well each outlet has fared in its most recent hygiene inspection.

Across the Aberdeen City Council pilot area, 236 outlets have passed; 63 are improvement required and 10 are awaiting inspection, compared to 227 (Pass); 65 (Improvement Required) and 2 (Awaiting Inspection) when the scheme started in November last year.

Marion McArthur, Head of Local Authority Food Law Enforcement Branch, Food Standards Agency Scotland, said: 'This scheme was designed primarily to give consumers useful information, at a glance.

'We’re holding a series of roadshows across the pilot areas between August and October 2007. These events aim to raise awareness among the general public about the scheme and how it can benefit them.

'For example, an interim evaluation of the pilot scheme carried out earlier this year showed that the overwhelming majority of both consumers and trade felt the scheme would make food businesses more likely to comply with food hygiene regulations. Indeed, 98% of consumers felt it was fair that the public is able to check a retailer or caterer’s food hygiene status.'

Andrea Carson, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Aberdeen City Council, said: 'At the beginning of October we will be unveiling an additional area that has been added to the scheme.

'We are delighted with the success of this initiative so far in securing compliance with food hygiene legislation. It is our intention in the future to continue to roll out this scheme across the city.'

Members of the public are invited to visit the roadshow on Thursday, 4th October, between 9am and 7pm and speak to representatives from Aberdeen City Council and the Food Standards Agency Scotland.

Further information about the scheme or businesses' hygiene inspections can be found at the link below or the Aberdeen City Council website www.aberdeencity.gov.uk.