Planning the perfect date is stressful enough without having to worry about how clean the kitchen is at the restaurant you’re about to book. You might’ve read great reviews online or been recommended somewhere by a friend but don’t forget to check the hygiene rating before you book and eat out.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Businesses in the area are rated on a scale ranging from 0 which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of 5 which is ‘very good’.
So, whether you’re going for a grand gesture and reserving a table somewhere special, or planning on ordering a takeaway for a romantic meal in, make sure you know the hygiene rating first.
Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors. If you can’t find the sticker, then ask a member of staff or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings. You can also report this to the local authority.
Takeaways must also provide information about their food hygiene rating on their flyers /menus.
Richard Bowen, Interim Director of the Food Standards Agency in Wales, said: “You can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by its website or by how romantic the ambience is. But the Food Hygiene Rating tells you what’s going on behind the scenes, so you should factor that in when deciding where to eat for Valentine’s Day.”
Make sure you’ve thought of every detail this Valentine’s Day, including checking the hygiene rating so that your romantic meal doesn’t make you lose that loving feeling