‘Look before you book’ for Christmas

If you’re planning to eat out this Christmas with work colleagues, friends or family the Food Standards Agency is urging you to check hygiene standards.

Christmas is a time to enjoy good company and good food without worrying about food poisoning. But you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how busy it is.

It’s the things you can’t see – like germs spread by bad hygiene practices – that you need to consider. There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest – check the food hygiene rating.

The food hygiene rating tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses. It’s really easy to check – just go online and check the Food Standards Agency website: www.food.gov.uk/ratings or if you’re out and about check for the greensticker; if you can’t see one, just ask.

Cllr Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It’s easy for people in the borough to check hygiene ratings online and choose a restaurant for their Christmas parties that takes food hygiene seriously. This is an important time for local businesses. A good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. It matters to customers so we are encouraging all businesses in Blackburn with Darwen to display their rating and have a prosperous Christmas season.”

For more information, visit www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/caterers/hygieneratings