FOOD HYGIENE RATINGS SUCCESS

And more than 97 per cent have achieved a rating of 3-5.

The good news has been reported to today’s (Monday) meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council’s environmental and public protection scrutiny committee.

The council has also revealed the businesses that are performing poorly and have failed to respond to a council letter asking them to confirm their plans to become broadly compliant with the rules.

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme was set up in November 2013 and has ratings covering the level of current compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures, including food handling, cleanliness, layout, and how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe.

There are six different food hygiene ratings; these are 0 to 5. A rating of 5 is the highest rating and represents a “very good” level of compliance with legal requirements. Business with scores of ‘3’ (generally satisfactory) or greater are also deemed to be ‘broadly compliant’.

Those with ratings of ‘0’, ‘1’ or ‘2’ are likely to have been observed as performing poorly and would be revisited and worked with until they had achieved at least a 3 rating.

Food businesses can only be closed down if there is found to be an ‘imminent risk’ such as an infestation of vermin. Premises subject to this type of action are not awarded a score as they are deemed to be closed and therefore not trading.

Executive board member for environmental and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I’m delighted that 97 per cent of food premises inspected are broadly compliant and that two thirds have achieved the top rating. This shows the generally high standards in the industry.

“However, I’m concerned that a small numbers of businesses are performing poorly and that some of them have failed to respond with information on how they intend to improve.

“We are determined to tackle the situation and to have high standards in those businesses too.”

The poorly performing businesses that have failed to respond are:

Check Point Filling Station, Llanwrda, 14 months since last score

Denham Stores, Llanelli, nine months

Dhaka 2 Bombay, Pembrey, two months

Furnace United Rugby Football Club, Furnace, 10 months

Ling Di Long, Ammanford, two months

New Sunrise Chinese Take Away, Llwynhendy, two months

Number 11, Newcastle Emlyn, one month

Trimsaran RFC, Trimsaran, nine months

Webb’s FOODs, Burry Port six months

Andrew & E Barker, LLanwrda, seven months

Bara Gwalia Bakery, Llanybydder, 10 months

The Curry Port, Burry Port, nine months

Cymru Balti, Tumble, 10 months

Farmers Arms, Pencader, 12 months

Lynn’s Catering, LLanwrda, one month

Mynydd Mawr Fresh Meats, Tumble, 10 months

New China Wok, Llanybydder, 10 months

Peppinos, Ponthenry, 15 months

PJ Snack Bar, Llanelli 15 months

Pontyberem Balti Tandoori Takeaway, Pontyberem, 11 months

Top Taste, Carmarthen, nine months

White Hart Inn, Newcastle Emlyn 11 months

White Lion Inn, Llanelli, 10 months

Whitland Mart Café, Whitland, 20 months

Just Desserts, Llanboidy, nine months, and Popty Bach Y Wlad, Pentre Cwrt, 15 months, have exercised a right to reply on the FSA website commenting on the particular reasons for their rating