Northern Ireland rolls out Hygiene Rating System

Councils in Northern Ireland have launched the Food Hygiene Rating System, seven months after it was rolled out across the UK.

All food-led venues are given a score from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to five (very good) based on their hygiene standards, which are then displayed in the outlets' windows to guide consumers.

"The aim of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is to help people make informed choices around the purchase of food — wherever they eat or shop," said Michael Jackson, head of food safety and operations, Food Standard Agency, Northern Ireland.

"Would-be diners can now 'look before they book' by checking out the food hygiene rating food.gov.uk/ratings. People can also look out for the scheme's stickers and certificates that food businesses are being encouraged to visibly display in premises, not just in Northern Ireland, but throughout the UK."

Mayor of Belfast, councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile added: "Our local food businesses understand that a good food hygiene rating is good for customers and good for business. I'm delighted to say that the majority of rated premises are scoring either top rating or four out of five, so I think that's something we can all be very proud of.

"I'm confident this scheme will be a huge success and will build on the foundations Belfast made four years ago when it first introduced a food hygiene rating scheme for businesses, through the Scores on the Doors initiative."

Check ratings at food.gov.uk/ratings.