Food Hygiene Awards

About the Awards

Since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Regulations 2004 came into force, the Council has received an increasing number of requests for information on food hygiene inspections of our local food outlets.

On 1 April 2007 the Authority, in conjunction with the four other Tees Valley Councils (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington and Redcar & Cleveland) is introducing a scheme known as the 'Tees Valley Food Hygiene Award' where all food businesses inspected are awarded a star rating according to the following factors:

Hygiene Conditions
Structural Conditions
Confidence in Management

The star rating will range from five stars (excellent) to zero (major improvements needed). The aim of the scheme is to inform consumers of how well businesses comply with hygiene standards in the Borough and so give an informed choice about where to eat/buy food, based on food hygiene performance. Increased awareness of hygiene standards will encourage businesses to improve or maintain higher standards.

There are approximately 750 food businesses in Hartlepool that are inspected for food hygiene. The score reflects the conditions found at the time of the inspection and standards may vary after this time.

The Council has a statutory obligation to inspect food premises and by publishing the results through its website, it aims to help the public make a more informed choice to eat and to drive up the standards of food hygiene in the town.