21 October 2014
Hygiene ratings for all Jersey's food outlets are now publically available on this website as part of Eat Safe Jersey.
This is part of a new initiative from the Environmental Health Department to award cleanliness ratings ranging from 5 to 0 stars.
Islanders can log onto Eat Safe to see how any premises which serves food scores on the kitchen cleanliness rating, designed to provide consumers with information about the hygiene standards of island food businesses.
Outlets scoring 3 and above will be awarded prominent green stickers and a certificate. Premises or outlets where the score for hygiene is 2 or below will not be able to display a sticker.
Any premises that haven't yet been inspected - around 50 in total - will not appear on the web page, and will be added in as they are inspected during the remainder of 2014.
Searchable online database
Eat Safe Jersey applies to around 1,000 outlets in Jersey, including restaurants, takeaways, cafes, sandwich shops, pubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retail food outlets. All ratings will be available on the online database, whether or not a sticker or certificate is displayed at the premises.
Team Leader for Food Safety and Infectious Disease of the Environmental Health team, Caroline Maffia, said “Almost everyone in Jersey enjoys food made by someone else, whether that’s a great meal out, tasty takeaway at home, shop bought sandwich for lunch or a morning croissant on the way to work. But how do we know if the food has been prepared in a safe manner?
“Eat Safe Jersey rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by the States’ Environmental Health team. Businesses are rated on a scale ranging from a top rating of ‘5 stars’ – meaning excellent – to ‘0 stars’ which means very poor standards of hygiene.
“Now, if you’re planning a meal out with family, friends or work colleagues or just grabbing a quick lunch on the go; don’t only consider the menu – you can check out the Eat Safe rating too. Look out for the green stickers displayed on windows and doors. If you can’t see a sticker, then ask staff in the premises or check online.”
Ms Maffia said “Eat Safe Jersey is about providing consumer choice. You will now know the hygiene standards of a premises at its last inspection and can make a choice as to whether or not you wish to eat there. Congratulations to those achieving 5 stars, it shows a real dedication to ensuring the food served is safe to eat."
Inspection based on law and best practice
The Eat Safe rating is based on the most recent Environmental Health visit. This is an unannounced inspection that assesses a business based on food law and best practice standards. It considers:
- how hygienically the food is handled – safe food preparation and procedures including preparation, cooking, cooling, re-heating and storage
- the condition of the structure of the premises – cleanliness, repair, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities
- how food safety is managed and documented – using systems such as Safer Food Better Business or equivalent methods. This includes premises history and confidence in management to maintain and improve standards
Businesses that are fully compliant with Jersey law obtain a minimum of 3 stars. If they can demonstrate they have implemented additional best practice guidance they achieve a higher rating. Those scoring either 0 or 2 stars - there is no 1-star rating - will be provided with guidance and information to enable them to improve, and will be targeted for more frequent inspections.
Eat Safe ratings
gov.je