Food businesses across North Lanarkshire are being targeted in a campaign to promote good hygiene practices.

We are supporting the campaign run by the Food Standards Agency Scotland.

The campaign is targeted at catering businesses that supply food direct to customer such as restaurants, takeaways and cafes. It highlights the importance of complying with statutory food hygiene requirements and the support available for businesses.

"It is vital that food premises have strict food hygiene routines to make sure they offer the highest standards to their customers," says Councillor Helen McKenna, Convener of Environmental Services. "This means regular cleaning of equipment and premises, storing food correctly and ensuring that staff who are handling food are scrupulous in washing their hands.

"The council regularly inspects all premises in North Lanarkshire that serve, sell, handle or produce food and our business regulation staff can provide advice for businesses on how to comply with the legal requirements on food safety."

Residents can find out about the standards in their local restaurant, shop or supermarket via our Surf4food service. It gives every outlet an instant hygiene star rating and includes complete food safety inspection reports.

"Surf4food is a quick and easy way to check how clean your local eatery or shop is, and it's a popular service among local residents," says Councillor McKenna. "It is helping us to maintain our excellent food safety record in North Lanarkshire and protecting consumers against bad hygiene practices."