NEW food hygiene ratings have been awarded to several venues in the city.

Several restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs and food outlets have had their inspection results listed on the Food Standards Agency’s website.

What do the numbers mean?

• Zero – Urgent improvement necessary. There are currently three outlets with this rating.

• One – Major improvements necessary. There are currently 35 outlets with this rating.

• Two – Improvements necessary. There are currently 19 outlets with this rating.

• Three – Generally Satisfactory. There are currently 129 outlets with this rating.

• Four – Good on assessment. There are currently 433 outlets with this rating.

• Five – Seen as very good. There are currently 1,862 outlets with this rating.

The following outlets received a rating of five

• Bites And Slice Madeira Cafe at 28 Station Road, Portslade; rated on November 12

• Nuposto at 12 - 14 West Street, Brighton; rated on November 12

• Pizza Express at 22 Prince Albert Street, Brighton; rated on November 12

• Siam Siam at 73 - 74 Preston Street, Brighton; rated on November 8

• Roosters Piri Piri at 54 Western Road, Brighton; rated on November 4

• Union Grill At The Gladstone at 123 Lewes Road, Brighton; rated on November 14

• Subway at Russell House, 20 West Street, Brighton; rated on November 12

• Oriental Takeaway at 70 Lewes Road, Brighton; rated on November 5

The following outlet received a rating of four:

• Rated 4: Bottled Up Ltd at 59 Rutland Road, Hove; rated on October 14

Businesses which are given low ratings of zero or one must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards.

The local authority food safety officer has several enforcement options available as well as giving advice and guidance to make sure these improvements are made.

The food safety officer will also tell the business how quickly these improvements must be made and this will depend on the type of issue that needs to be addressed.

If the officer finds that a business’s hygiene standards are very poor and there is an imminent risk to public health, when food may be unsafe to eat, the officer must act to ensure consumers are protected.

This could result in stopping part of the business or closing it down completely until it is safe to recommence.

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