5 May 2006

A local authority in the south west of England is using the Internet to ensure that local residents can find out which establishments in their area serve hygienic food.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council is launching an online service that enables people to find how the authority has graded the level of food hygiene seen at the region's cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels.

Web surfers will now be able to access the site and see how the council graded certain establishments - gold, silver, bronze, or unsatisfactory - as well as informing them when the last report was carried out and when the next one will take place.

Tony Beeson, environmental health & property services manager for Weymouth & Portland, said: "This will be a valuable resource for Weymouth & Portland's residents and visitors alike, ensuring that the public is better informed when planning a meal out.

"It will also encourage food business operators to seek higher standards of food hygiene."

He added that the site was being developed so as in future reports and maps showing where the establishment is can be downloaded directly, which would "make this service the most comprehensive in the country".

The publication of the results on the net was a response to requests from residents from them to be made available, highlighting the key role that the Internet can play in increasing the accessibility of important information.

© Adfero Ltd

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