Businesses that consistently maintain high food standards are being recognised as part of a new scheme launched in honour of last week’s World Food Safety Day (7 June).

The Triple 5 scheme celebrates eateries that gain the top level 5 Food Hygiene Rating and maintain it for at least three inspections – a cycle which takes about six years to complete.

Restaurants, cafes, take-aways and catering vans that achieve Triple 5 status will be sent a letter from Worcestershire Regulatory Services, who carry out food hygiene inspections for Bromsgrove District, which they can display to customers. If a business fails to maintain a five rating at future inspections, they will lose Triple 5 status.

25 businesses across Bromsgrove District have been awarded the new Triple 5 status.

The National Food Hygiene Rating scheme allows customers to choose where they eat out or grab food on the go with confidence. It rates food businesses from zero to five, with level five businesses deemed to be going above and beyond the required legal food safety standards.

Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, Cllr Kit Taylor, said: “We have so many fantastic high-quality eateries across Bromsgrove District, with a variety of unique independents and chain traders, and it is fast becoming the place to eat out in Worcestershire.

“I am thrilled that so many of these businesses have already achieved Triple 5 status and I look forward to more striving to achieve this prestigious accolade in future years.

“The award itself may have only just launched, but with so many businesses already achieving Triple 5 status, this is testament to these traders, who for the past six years have taken their commitment to food safety very seriously, consistently delivering high standards and care for their customers with no previous promise of an award at the end. It is very well deserved. Congratulations.”

Residents can find out the rating of a food business by visiting the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. There are 200 diseases caused by unsafe food, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers.