'Hundreds' of food hygiene issues

Hundreds of written warnings were handed out to businesses in South Holland for food hygiene issues over the last year, due to problems such as cleanliness and separation of foods.

Data from the Food Standards Agency shows the results of food hygiene intervention inspections in the local authority, over the 12 months to April.

The businesses inspected are mostly restaurants, but include any establishment which handles unpacked food including farms, manufacturers and catering companies.

Inspectors assessed 894 businesses and handed out 211 written warnings in South Holland.

Any breach of food hygiene regulations can lead to a written warning. Breaches include problems with cleanliness, training of staff, record keeping, washing facilities and separation of cooked and raw foods.

Officials consider the seriousness of the case, as well as the co-operation of the business, before deciding on what action to take.

As well as the written warnings, in South Holland there were two food seizures and two hygiene improvement notices.

No businesses in South Holland were categorised as high risk, which would mean they would need to be inspected again within six months.

This rating is different from the 0 to 5 score that restaurants and takeaways display in their windows, as it is an indicator of when officials need to assess the business again.

A business which gets a high risk rating is "highly likely" to have breached food hygiene regulations, according to the FSA.

You can report poor hygiene practices in a restaurant, store or other food outlet to the business's local authority here