Are you planning the perfect Valentine’s date?



Planning the perfect date can be stressful as there’s a lot to worry about, including of course – whether you will get on and if you will make a good impression.

So the last thing you want to think about before an important dinner is whether or not the place you choose takes food hygiene seriously.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme means you don’t have to.

The Food Standards Agencyis urging you to look before you book and check the food hygiene rating before deciding where to go on your special date.

The truth is, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how romantic the décor and ambience is.

It’s the things you can’t see, like germs spread by bad hygiene practices, that you need to consider. There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest – check the food hygiene rating.

This tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses.

It’s really simple to check. Just go online to the Food Standard Agency’s website: www.food.gov.uk/ratings or if you’re out and about look for the green and black sticker; if you can’t see one just ask the staff.



Valentine’s is a busy time for food businesses and a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. So make sure you reassure your customers by putting your sticker up in the window. Businesses with higher food hygiene ratings agree that can helps bring hungry customers through the door.

Thousands of food businesses throughout the country displaying a 3 to 5 rating say it made a positive difference to their business.

Councillor Vivien Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Engagement said: “On Valentine’s Day, worrying about the hygiene of a restaurant isn’t something anyone wants to do.

By looking before you book to check the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme you are ensuring that the hygiene for a restaurant won’t be ruining your romantic day. This is also an important time for local food businesses as a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of.”