Sunderland gets top five ranking for food hygiene

Sunderland is one of the top five local authorities in the country for food hygiene standards, according to new research from Which?

Theconsumerrightscampaign group found a huge variation in food hygiene standardsacrossthecountry, with one in five high or medium risk food establishments failing to meet requirements.

Which? analysed data submitted to the Food Standard Authority and Food Standards Scotland by 386 UK local authorities and ranked them based on the proportion of medium and high risk premises meeting hygiene requirements, the proportion of total premises rated for risk, and the proportion of planned interventions (such as inspections or follow-up actions) the authorities achieved.

Sunderland was the highest ranking Metropolitan Borough in England and the fifth best performer nationwide overall.

Coun Michael Mordey, Sunderland City Council’s PortfolioHolderforCityServices, said: “The council looks at hygiene, handling, and all aspects of the environment wherefoodisprepared,stored or served to the public.

“This is from cooking to all-round cleanliness, and also to how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe for the public. This is an excellentexampleofthecouncilandbusinessesworkingtogether to improve the offer in the city, and we should all be proud of Sunderland moving uptherankingsandbeingthe best Metropolitan Authority for food hygiene standards.

“It’s pleasing that are our work helping people and businesses in Sunderland has been recognised by such a well-known organisation as Which?”