Food Hygiene sessions begin

Drop-in sessions for Powys food outlets to help them prepare for an initiative that will provide consumers with at-a-glance information about food hygiene standards begin this week.

 

Powys County Council is to adopt the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme and roll it out from April 1. The aim of the scheme is to help consumers make informed choices about where to eat or shop for food.

 

The council’s Environmental Health Team has arranged a series of sessions where business operators and members of the public can discuss the scheme with officers. The sessions will take place on:

 

Monday 7 March – Neuadd Maldwyn reception area, Welshpool, 10am to 1pm

 

Tuesday 8 March – The Gwalia reception area, Llandrindod Wells, 10am to 1pm

 

Tuesday 8 March – Y Plas, Machynlleth, 10am to 1pm

 

Wednesday 9 March, Ystradgynlais Miners Welfare and Community Hall, Ystradgynlais, 9.30am to 12.30pm

 

Thursday 10 March – Brecon Library, Brecon, 9.30am to 12.30pm

 

Thursday 10 March – Newtown Library, 1pm to 4pm

 

The national scheme has been developed by Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

 

Steve Clinton, the council's Public Protection Manager, said: “The primary purpose of the scheme is to allow consumers to make informed choices about the places in which they eat out and from which they purchase food, and, through this, to encourage businesses to improve hygiene standards.

 

“These drop-in sessions will give food outlets an opportunity to ask our officers about the scheme and any other food safety questions that they may have. I urge food outlets to attend these valuable drop-in sessions.”

 

If food outlets are unable to make any of the sessions and would like to discuss the scheme further then call 0845 602 7037 and ask to speak to one of the council’s food safety officers.

 

For more information on the scheme visit www.food.gov.uk/ratings