Cheshire East Council is urging all businesses in the borough dealing with food for the public, to post their hygiene ratings on their websites and social media channels. 

According to a survey by the Food Standards agency, in England, only 10 per cent or fewer food businesses display their food hygiene rating on their websites, or social media channels.

This is especially true of those that have online ordering capability such as deliver, or Just Eat. The worst are in Wales, where only five per cent display this information online.

But why are the council doing this now? Well, The council is helping to promote a new campaign by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which launched last month, across the country, to encourage businesses to not just stick their food hygiene rating on their premises windows or doors, but their online presence too.

Five-star food hygiene rating at Papa Johns, Park Green, Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"In a statement, Cheshire East Council said: "Food retailers and producers could do more to broadcast their high standards because so many score well on the ratings matrix.

"Across the three nations – England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – nine out of ten businesses have a four or five-star rating but although many promote their business online, and in many cases offer online ordering, they do not inform customers digitally that their hygiene ratings are so good.

"Food handlers can download an image of their hygiene rating and post it on their website, or other social media platforms. There is also a code they can embed into their social media channels which can be automatically updated.

"It's hoped this campaign will further spread the message through digital media platforms, that the borough's food outlets and producers attach the highest importance to quality and hygiene."

The sticker displayed at Costa Coffee, Market Place, Macclesfield. (Image - Maocclesfield Nub News)

The most recent business in Macclesfield to get a Food Hygiene Rating of 5, is The Hanging Gate in Sutton. Five is the best rating possible, with zero being the worst. And indeed, they have announced this on their Facebook page, which would make the brains behind this Cheshire East campaign very happy.

But it is not just coffee shops and restaurants that get food hygiene ratings.

Schools, care homes and cook-at-home businesses like online cake sellers also get them. And indeed, it is vital important for internet food businesses to display their food hygiene ratings, with no high street presence.

The campaign can also serve as a reminder for businesses to promote their scores on their physical doors as well, if they have one.

While it is not a legal requirement, there are benefits of enticing customers in by sticking scores on the doors. (But many more already do this, they do online, hence, the web focus of the campaign.)

Macclesfield East Independent, Mick Warren.

And indeed, in the ever-ongoing quest to celebrate Macclesfield as a destination town, surely, displaying more 5-star food hygiene ratings in windows and websites will make the town seem even more appealing?

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of the council's environment and communities committee, said: "The council is supporting this campaign by the FSA because we would like our food producers and retailers to take full advantage of the excellent hygiene ratings they have been given.

"Cheshire East has a large number of food retailers, including pubs and restaurants, and the food hygiene standard scores the council issues are not just a reflection of the quality of the outlet itself but also reflect the hard work of our team who carry out the rigorous inspections required, to ensure the borough's food outlets meet the high standards we want to see. 

"This sends out a message to our residents and visitors that we take this work very seriously and want to ensure that food hygiene standards are met for the safety and benefit of customers."

Prestbury Co-op, The Village. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

BUSINESSES: For information about how to download hygiene scores, visit: Food hygiene rating publication and displaying your rating (Food Standards Agency). 

CUSTOMERS: To find out about FSA food hygiene ratings in Macclesfield and Cheshire East, please visit: Food Hygiene Rating (cheshireeast.gov.uk).

BUSINESSES: For detailed information about downloadable ratings for digital use (AKA posting to social media) please visit: www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-hygiene-rating-publication-and-displaying-your-rating.