Perth food hygiene inspection results at a glance

Friday 21 September 2007

Around 92% of food businesses participating in a pilot scheme in Perth 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 High 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 Perth pilot area, 395 outlets have passed; 37 are improvement required and 21 are awaiting inspection.

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’ve been 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.'

Members of the public are invited to visit the Perth roadshow on Friday, 5th October, from 9am to 5pm and speak to representatives from Perth and Kinross 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 Perth and Kinross Council website www.perthshire.com by typing in 'Food Hygiene Information Scheme' in the search pane.