A new scheme of inspecting and grading is in action called ‘Grading at a Glance’.  Under this scheme, each food outlet is given a hygiene grading or ‘score’ that reflects the inspection findings and food businesses may display this grading in their premises where consumers can see it.  Consumers will be able to see the grades for all the participating business in Gibraltar which is the first area outside the UK to adopt this type of scheme.

The purpose of this scheme is to allow consumers to make informed choices about the places where they eat and from which they purchase food. This scheme also aims to encourage businesses to improve hygiene standards and therefore enhance their reputation by obtaining a high grading. The ‘Grading at a Glance’ scheme assesses and rates the standards against the legal requirements on food hygiene which are set at European level. This scheme is designed so that the top score represents excellence in food hygiene and safety over and above Gibraltar’s legal requirements for food hygiene and safety.  The scheme also encourages businesses to improve hygiene standards.

The scheme is run by Environmental Agency which is also  is responsible for carrying out inspections of food businesses to check that they meet the requirements of food hygiene law.

Gradings are given to places where you can eat out such as restaurants, takeaways, cafés, sandwich shops, pubs, and hotels.  Other establishments not open to the public, including the MOD, Care Agency and Hospital premises can also participate on this scheme.

An Environmental Health Officer inspects a business to check that it meets the requirements of food hygiene law and other standards.
At the inspection, the EHO will check:

• how hygienically the food is handled - how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored
• the condition of the structure of the buildings - the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities
• how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe
• the condition of the front-of-house and the toilets

The hygiene standards found at the time of inspection are then graded on a scale. At the bottom of the scale is ‘0’ – this means urgent improvement is required. At the top of the scale is ‘5’ – this means the hygiene standards are excellent.
The rating given shows how well the business does overall. The business may do better in some areas and less well in others and the rating takes this into account. This includes those areas that need improving the most.
The EHO will explain to the person who owns or manages the business what improvements need to be made and what action they can take to improve their hygiene rating.

The food hygiene rating reflects the hygiene standards found on the date of inspection by an EHO from the Environmental Agency.
A business can be given one of these grades:

A grading shows you how well the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law. It gives you an idea of what’s going on in the kitchen, or behind closed doors, so you can make more informed choices.

Why are businesses with poor gradings not closed?

Businesses given gradings of ‘0’ or ‘1’ must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards. The Environmental Agency EHO will use a number of enforcement tools as well as giving advice and guidance to make sure these improvements are made.

If the EHO finds that a business’s hygiene standards are very poor and there is an imminent risk to health – this means food is not safe to eat – the EHO must take action to make sure that consumers are protected.

When you eat out or shop for food, you might see a sticker in the window or on the door, or a certificate on display, showing you the hygiene grading for that business. Examples of these are shown below.

Yes in a clearly visible place at the entrances to the premises.  Putting a hygiene grading on show is a good advertisement for businesses that meet the requirements of food hygiene law.  A good food hygiene rating is good for business.

The owner or manager of the business should talk to the Environmental Agency EHO that inspected the business about why the rating was given.
If the business owner or manager still thinks that the grading is unfair or wrong, they can appeal in writing. To appeal, any food business can apply in writing and send it to the Environmental Agency within 7 days of being told what their grading is.

Yes, but only if the improvements to hygiene that the Environmental Agency EHO told the business about at the last inspection have been made.
The owner or manager of the food business can only ask the Environmental Agency for a re-visit to be carried out once before the date of the next planned inspection.

Yes, we’re interested to know what you think.
You can contact us by emailing admin@environmental-agency.gi or by calling 00350 200 70620

If you want to write to us, please send your letter to:
Grading at a Glance
Environmental Agency
37 Town Range
Gibraltar

Name	Address	Tel No.	Date	Hygiene Grading
MacDonalds Gibraltar	Europort Avenue	20072577	15-07-2011
Marrakesh Restaurant	9 Governor’s Parade	20075196	15-07-2011
Mojo Delicatessen	249 Main Street	20075204	15-07-2011	Currently being assessed.
Waterfront Restaurant, The	Queensway Quay Marina	20045666	15-07-2011