Food Hygiene 'Postcode Lottery'

A "shocking postcode lottery on food hygiene'' has been uncovered in an investigation into standards across Scotland. Research by consumer group Which? found that some parts of the country are falling "well below'' basic food hygiene requirements. The organisation has published a map showing the Scottish councils it claims are failing to ensure their businesses meet the necessary standards. The City of Edinburgh emerged as the poorest performing Scottish local authority, while North Lanarkshire was rated the best performing council. Which? looked at all of Scotland's 32 local authorities and analysed the latest data they had submitted to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The data covered a wide range of places which sell food, including restaurants, takeaways, corner shops, schools and hospitals. From those figures, the consumer group ranked the local authorities on how they are performing on food safety enforcement. Edinburgh came bottom with only 68% of its medium and high risk businesses meeting hygiene requirements, according to Which? It was followed by Perth & Kinross and Falkirk in 31st and 30th place, respectively. North Lanarkshire Council came out tops in Scotland and took a UK ranking of 42, out of 398 local authorities. Orkney claimed second place in Scotland, with North Ayrshire in third.

Businesses are ultimately responsible for complying with hygiene rules but local authorities are tasked with enforcing compliance. Which? spokesperson, Gordon MacRae, said: "Our research reveals a shocking postcode lottery on food hygiene where in some places you may as well toss a coin before deciding which restaurant to trust with your health. "Consumers expect local authorities to check that food businesses in their area comply with hygiene standards and rigorously enforce the rules. "Local authorities should do more to make the best use of limited resources, respond effectively to risks across the food supply chain and ensure consumers are adequately protected wherever they live. "Tackling food enforcement has to be a priority for Scottish ministers and the new food agency, Food Standards Scotland, when it comes into being in April.''