BBC Young Reporter @ LCS

Like all cities, towns and villages, Derby's food outlets have to prepare and serve food in line with the U.K.'s Food Standards Agency. But what does that actually mean?

The History of the Foods Standards Agency 

Food all around the U.K. is rated by a company called 'The Foods Standards Agency'. The foods must undergo a certain array of tasks in order to be given a rating of either 1,2,3,4 or 5. The Foods Standards Agency started back on 1st April 2000.The foods standards Agency started because of the lack of hygiene in retailer's restaurants. In result of the lack of hygiene people died and this made people complain to the restaurant manager. This formed the Foods Standards Agency back in 2000.

At one point in the whole year restaurants in the U.K. get inspected for their food hygiene rating. The following places get rated: pubs, cafes, takeaways, food vans, stalls, canteens, hotels, supermarkets, other food shops, schools, hospitals, and care homes. Basically, places that sell food to people.

Now let's look at how some of our local business and how they are doing.

There are over 2000 outlets in Derby that have or will be inspected, but unfortunately, a large portion are failing to achieve the desired rating of 3 and above. For instance, the Ebi Sushi in Abbey Street received a '0' rating, meaning they will need to improve significantly otherwise they will be shut down. Another local business is called Dixy Chicken on Normanton Road in Derby. Despite rumours of a vermin infestation in the Walsall branch in September, Derby's Dixy Chicken had a rating of '3' awarded in October 2022, which is not bad for a fast-food restaurant. A rating of 5 is definitely the goal, so hopefully the company will continue to work on achieving this.

Head over to the Derby Telegraph and Derby City Council website for a full list of ratings.