The scheme, endorsed by Food Standards Scotland will give lovers of good quality fare information about how well local food retailers and caterers are performing and help customers make more informed choices about where to eat or buy food.
The Food Hygiene Information Scheme is a two-tier system of statutory inspection by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Food Safety Team, which issues a certificate recording either a ‘pass’ or ‘improvement required’. It is not compulsory to display the certificate but the result of all inspections will be publicly available from the Food Standards Agency’s website at http://ratings.food.gov.uk.
The aim of the scheme is to enable consumers to make informed choices about which businesses they want to support, and to increase food hygiene standards.
The latest local business to be awarded the pass certificate is Mogerleys Butcher Shop in Friars Vennel, Dumfries, which is a family run business and is the oldest working Butchers in Scotland. Established in 1876 it is celebrating its 140th Anniversary this year.
Amanda little, joint Food Business Operator of Mogerleys Butchers said: “Our Staff at Mogerleys are delighted that our business has been awarded a Pass Certificate from Dumfries and Galloway’s Environmental Health Department. I think the Food Hygiene Information Scheme is good because the public can now shop with the knowledge and confidence that our business meets the requirements of the Food Safety Legislation”.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee added: “I would like to offer my congratulation to the staff at Mogerleys and commend them for all their hard work and for their ongoing commitment to food hygiene.
We have had an encouraging response from local businesses that recognise the value of the scheme in terms of customer confidence. By participating in this scheme, the Council will be able to offer consumers easy access to the information they need to make informed choices when buying food and to enjoy eating out in Dumfries and Galloway.”
Inspection results for businesses in all Scottish local authorities participating in the FHIS can be found at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/
