A Chinese takeaway in Banbridge has received a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating.
The rating, awarded to Wong Lee Cuisine, is the second lowest possible score given by local authorities during inspections.
The business, located at Unit 1, Centra Shopping Centre on Scarva Street, was assessed by ABC Borough Council during an inspection on July 18.
The food safety officer who conducted the inspection found that while the hygienic handling of food—including preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling, and storage—was deemed ‘generally satisfactory,’ other areas were found lacking.
The cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were rated as ‘improvement necessary,’ while ‘major improvement’ was required in the management of food safety.
This latter category assesses the systems and checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat. It also evaluates whether staff are knowledgeable about food safety and whether there is confidence that standards will be maintained in the future.
The overall verdict from the food safety officer was that ‘major improvement’ is necessary.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, administered by the Food Standards Agency, aims to provide clear information about businesses’ hygiene standards.
The scheme operates in partnership with local authorities, including ABC Borough Council.
Businesses are given a rating ranging from five to zero, with five indicating ‘very good’ hygiene standards and zero indicating that ‘urgent improvement is required.’
According to the Food Standards Agency, these ratings provide a ‘snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection,’ focusing on food handling, storage, preparation, the cleanliness of facilities, and the management of food safety.
The time between inspections varies, with high-risk businesses being inspected every six months, while lower-risk businesses may be inspected every two years.
In Northern Ireland, businesses are legally required to display their ratings at or near each customer entrance and must provide information on their rating verbally if requested.
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