Hull in print

More than 2,000 food outlets in the city are to be given a score in a new league table - according to their hygiene standards.
The table, being put together by Hull City Council's food safety team, will be published on the council website later in the year. It will rank food outlets - including take-aways, cafes, pubs and restaurants - according to how they meet hygiene standards.
"It's about giving people the information they want to know," said Garry Kitching, food services manager at the council.
"We know most food outlets are very concerned about publicity, and this is a way of recognising good food premises and giving an incentive to others to improve their standards."
Hull is one of a handful of local authorities across the country which is trialling food hygiene scores - an idea devised by the national Food Standards Agency. Based on existing inspection knowledge of how food safety practices are met, inspectors will award each outlet a score out of 100, and a grade between A and E, (with A as excellent, and E as very poor).
All food outlets, including mini-markets, supermarkets, schools, hospitals and care homes, could soon be required by law to display a certificate showing their rating in full view of customers, say food safety officers.
Cllr David Woods, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "The great majority of food outlets in the city are satisfactory, but where we find problems we take an educational approach and try to work with businesses and bring them into compliance with goodwill and cooperation."
Meanwhile, the council's food safety team takes out around half-a-dozen prosecutions every year against food outlets who break food hygiene rules. The team also sends out warning letters and serves formal notices.
Penalties can include closure, fines and even imprisonment for owners.

For more information visit the council website at www.hullcc.gov.uk * or contact 300300.


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