Almost 10 per cent of food premises inspected in Lichfield require major improvements from a hygiene point of view, new figures have revealed.
The District Council’s Regulation and Enforcement Team has released the results of its latest assessment visits.
All food businesses, including those operating from home, are subject to inspection by Lichfield District Council’s environmental health officers at varying frequencies determined by the level of risk to public health.
In the “major improvement needed” category of the Food Standard Agency’s five-star rating scheme, 1 in 9 businesses were required to make positive changes.
The March 2023 inspections results also show that of the businesses assessed 59 per cent were very good, 27 per cent were good and five per cent were generally satisfactory.
A Lichfield District Council spokesperson said: “Officers provide advice and guidance to all food businesses in order to raise standards, and return visits are made to poorer performing businesses sooner.
“Where necessary, enforcement action is taken. Residents can check the food hygiene rating of every business at the Food Standards Agency website.”
The outcome of routine food safety inspections and the relevant Food Hygiene Rating Scores (FHRS) are issued to businesses in writing within 14 days of the physical inspection taking place, in line with the FSA Brand Standard. This includes the completion of the inspection details and relevant risk rating.
In Lichfield District, the Environmental Health Commercial Team are responsible for approximately 983 premises, ranging from large manufacturers to one-person operations. Of these premises, approximately 450 are due for inspection each year.
In addition, there are around 100 new businesses per annum to inspect. More new home caterers and mobile caterers have been registered during the Covid-19 lockdown in comparison to previous years.
The team receives approximately 30 requests for food hygiene re-rating inspections per annum (food businesses are able to request a re-rating after they have made improvements).
The full range of food safety interventions also includes advisory visits, revisits to check compliance and food sampling visits.
To check the food hygiene rating of a business, click here.
