Research shows that every year, 2.4 million people in the UK get sick from the food they eat. So whenever you order takeaway, it goes without saying that you want it to be clean and safe for consumption.
It is especially true in this day and age when going to the hospital for a checkup or even just outside the house bears more risk than usual.
The problem with a takeaway is that you don’t see how the food is prepared and handled before it reaches your table. How do you know that the current best industry practices were implemented?
It is where the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme comes in.
What is the Food Hygiene Rating?
The food hygiene rating is a scheme initiated by the government and outlined by the Food Standards Agency.
It is implemented by the Environmental Health Officer in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, through periodic visits and inspections to the premises of restaurants, industrial kitchens, food vans, schools, supermarkets, and of course, takeaways.
The food hygiene rating is designed to protect consumers from food-borne diseases due to unsanitary conditions. It gives scores ranging from 0 to 5, depending on how well the establishment complied with its standards.
What Do the Food Hygiene Ratings Mean?
A lot of things go into a food hygiene rating, but this is a general idea:
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Rating of 0
An establishment receives points every time a non-compliance is observed, say there is a significant hygiene breach that puts the consumers’ health at risk. A score of zero is given if the total accumulated points reach 50. It is the lowest possible score in the rating scheme, and it implies that the establishment needs urgent improvement.
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Rating of 1
A rating of 1 is awarded if the score falls between 45 and 50. It usually means that major improvements are needed, from resolving multiple breaches to providing more training for the staff. If you see this rating on a takeaway’s website, it is best if you look for other options.
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Rating of 2
The 2 rating is given to a takeaway that accrues a total score ranging between 35 and 40. While this score is better than a rating of 0 or 1, it still means that some of the handling practices are questionable, and the equipment is outdated. Major improvements are needed before their food can be considered safe to eat.
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Rating of 3
If a takeaway’s score after inspection lies between 25 and 35, it is given a rating of 3. A rating of three is considered satisfactory and means that the company’s food products are safe for consumers. However, there is still room for improvement.
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Rating of 4
If you want to make sure that your takeaway food is clean and was handled properly from the kitchen to your doorstep, look for companies with a rating of at least 4. A rating of 4 is given to companies that accumulate a score that is no higher than 20.
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Rating of 5
Finally, a rating of 5 is given to takeaways and other food shops that get a score between 0 and 15. It is the gold standard when it comes to food hygiene and is what all companies work hard to achieve.
The food hygiene rating is usually displayed by takeaways on their websites, especially those based in Wales or Northern Ireland. So the next time you order takeaway, look for this rating to make sure that your food is clean and safe to eat.
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