Dundee diners are being urged to consider boycotting city eateries that do not achieve pass marks or display hygiene certificates.
The suggestion was made by West End Councillor Richard McCready as it emerged just 80% of businesses have achieved a pass in the national Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS).
In 2014, The Courier revealed that despite boasting many fine places to eat, the city’s food businesses had the worst hygiene past rates in Scotland.
Although matters have improved, 20% of restaurants, cafes, bars, sandwich shops and other food businesses are still failing.
As of Monday, some 255 were assessed as “improvement required” by the Food Standards Agency, including 55 restaurants and cafes and 44 pubs.
The city council advises diners to check out the standards of local food businesses before they eat out or order in.
Food Standards Scotland said its inspection results give consumers “an idea of what’s going on in the kitchen, or behind closed doors, so you can choose where you eat or buy food”.
Businesses are assessed on hygiene practices, the structure of their establishments, equipment and the implementation of food safety management systems, from paperwork, to staff training.
If a food business falls short of the legal standards, it is classified as “improvement required”, and many Dundee businesses currently fall into that category.
That has been a source of disappointment to the council, which has said admitted “further measures” will be required to increase the pass rate.
Businesses have also been urged by the council to display food safety certificates prominently to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions.
Mr McCready believes consumers should be looking for the FHIS certificates when they eat in the city.
He said: “If you visit a restaurant, caf or pub in this city you should be looking for this accreditation.
“If you do not see it, then I think you should have very serious doubts about whether you should order or eat at these outlets.”
Prior to eating out or purchasing food, customers can check the rating of any premises in the city of the FHIS website at www.foodstandards.gov.scot/fhis/search.
Businesses that have been operating for less than a year may not feature.