Clean sweep for fast food
TOP HYGIENE SCORES FOR INDUSTRY’S GIANTS
IT comes as no surprise that fast food giants such as Mcdonald’s and Greggs are at the top of their game on food hygiene.
The Food Standards Agency website lists their scores. All Mcdonald’s in the county, including four in the city centre and branches in Clifton, Bulwell and West Bridgford, have the top score of five stars.
The same applies to Domino’s Pizza and Burger King – all county branches have five stars.
Inspections are usually carried out every two years by environmental health officers.
The rating doesn’t cover food quality or customer service but the handling of food, how it is stored and prepared, the cleanliness of facilities and food safety.
The fast food giants tend to have food hygiene at a consistent level, but there can be some examples that stand apart.
After a January 2020 inspection, a KFC branch in Mansfield was given three stars. The fried chicken joint, in Nottingham Road, received a “generally satisfactory” rating for food handling and the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.
A spokesperson said improvements had been made since. “We can’t wait to have the team round to see the spruced-up coop and we’ve got a good feeling about our new score.”
Fewer inspections were carried out during the pandemic.
Nottingham City Council’s chief environmental health officer Paul Dales said: “Larger chains like these are typically inspected every two years as they are usually compliant and have internal monitoring systems. Poor performers with highrisk food handling get inspected at least every six months to a year.
“As has been the case across the country, there have been far fewer food safety inspections taking place during the pandemic, mainly because businesses have been intermittently closed due to Covid restrictions, as well as some food officers being temporarily tasked with Covid inspections and outbreak tracing.
“However, the team has continued to inspect high risk premises on site, while for those with a good track record they have carried out ‘remote inspections’ in accordance with Food Standards Agency guidance, following up with on-site visits if necessary.
“They have prioritised helping new takeaways get their food hygiene rating score as they need this to register with online platforms to trade, with many new takeaways and home caterers starting up during the pandemic.
“When the roadmap rules allow businesses to reopen, the team will be catching up with highest-risk establishments first.”