Eating out (or grabbing a quick takeaway) should be a treat, not a gamble. The good news is there is an easy way to check how a place is doing on hygiene before you order - and it takes about 10 seconds.

What the food hygiene rating actually means

In England, many cafes, pubs, takeaways and shops are given a food hygiene rating after an inspection. Ratings run from 0 to 5, where 5 is "hygiene standards are very good". It is not a taste or service score - its about how safely food is handled, how clean things are, and how well the business manages food safety.

You can look up ratings for places near Gnosall on the Food Standards Agency website: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/

How to check a rating (and what to look for)

• Search by business name or postcode on the official ratings site.
• Check the date of inspection as well as the number.
• If a rating looks low, consider choosing another option, or ask the business if they have made improvements and requested a re-rating.

If you have concerns after eating somewhere

If you think a food business is unhygienic, or you have had a suspected case of food poisoning linked to eating out, report it to the local authority team that deals with food safety. In our area, that is Stafford Borough Council. Start here and follow the contact details for food safety/environmental health:

https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/

If you are unsure who to report to, the Food Standards Agency site is still the best starting point for ratings and background info:

http://ratings.food.gov.uk/

A quick note for local businesses (and anyone running a fundraiser)

If you help with community food events, pop-ups or fundraising teas, it is worth checking the latest official guidance on food safety and hygiene. Staffordshire County Council is a good place to start for local public health information and signposting:

https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/

And for parish-level news and contacts in Gnosall, keep an eye on Gnosall Parish Council:

https://www.gnosallparishcouncil.gov.uk/