WIREDGOV

This Christmas the FSA is encouraging consumers to include the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) and the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) as one of the ingredients for a great meal out.

Whether you’re planning a festive meal out with family or friends, or just grabbing a quick lunch while Christmas shopping, don’t just consider the menu – make sure you check the hygiene rating too.

The schemes rate food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by food safety officers. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland businesses are rated on a scale ranging from 0, which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’, to a top rating of 5 which is ‘very good’. In Scotland businesses receive either ‘Pass’ or ‘Improvement Required’.

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings team, said: ‘The schemes are a great tool when choosing where to eat out, particularly when celebrating a special meal, because you get information about what’s going on in the kitchen and behind the scenes. For local eateries a good food hygiene rating is good for business during the festive season.

This Christmas, look out for the stickers and certificates displayed in windows and doors, if you can’t see a sticker then just ask staff or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Win a £100 voucher

To encourage people to think about food hygiene when celebrating this Christmas, the FSA is running a series of competitions on Twitter and Facebook.

England and Wales

In England and Wales, send a picture of your great meal out to us on Twitter or Facebook for your chance to win one of five £100 Restaurant Choice vouchers. Photos should feature the hashtag #GreatMealOut, be taken in an eatery with an FHRS rating of 3, 4 or 5 and include the name and postcode of the establishment. Terms and conditions apply (these can be found at the link towards the end of this page).

Follow us on Twitter @foodgov
Like our FHRS Facebook page at www.food.gov.uk/facebook-fhrs

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the FSA is teaming up with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to launch a joint competition to capture all the festive fun at restaurants across Northern Ireland. The competition, which aims to promote the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, will encourage everyone to upload a picture of their Christmas meal out at an eatery rated 3, 4 or 5. To be in with a chance of winning upload your festive meal pictures at the FSA in Northern Ireland Facebook page, discovernorthernireland.com/festivemealout or use #festivemealout. Terms and conditions apply (these can be found at the link towards the end of this page).

Follow us on Twitter @FSAinNI
Like our FSANI Facebook page at www.food.gov.uk/facebook-fsani

Scotland

In Scotland, post a picture taken at a ‘Pass’ rated eatery on the FHIS Facebook page, for your chance to win one of five £100 high street vouchers of your choice. Don’t forget to include the name and postcode of the eatery, so we can check it out. Terms and conditions apply (these can be found at the link towards the end of this page).

 Like our FHIS Facebook page at www.food.gov.uk/facebook-fhis