Pubs and restaurants falling short of hygiene standards are being invited back to school

Pubs and restaurants which are falling short on food hygiene are being invited to go back to school to brush up on skills, by Dundee and Angus College.

News that 20% of Dundee’s pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes have been deemed ‘improvement required’ by the Food Hygiene Information Scheme has left staff at D&A College outraged.

The rating could be for anything from hygiene failures to incorrectly filed paperwork.

Louisa Kingham, head of hospitality, retail and tourism, has offered businesses support.

She said: “Establishments which do not measure up in terms of hygiene could end up paying a very high price.

“With the FHIS website available to everyone, potential customers may end up staying away in their droves when they see a restaurant or pub listed as failing on the site.

“D&A College is here to help.

“Having worked closely with Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland for a number of years, we have delivered the REHIS elementary food hygiene course to hundreds of food handlers.

There are no formal entry requirements for the one-day course which results in a nationally-recognised qualification.