News

More food hygiene ratings to be seen

Published

11 years ago

October 28, 2013

WHEN people buy their food, they want to be sure that the place they’re buying from follows good food hygiene practices.
After all, those businesses that aren’t hygienic put consumers’ health at risk, from minor cases of food poisoning to more serious, even fatal, illness.
That’s why, from November this year, a new law introduced by the Welsh Government will mean that businesses in Wales that serve or sell food will be required to display their food hygiene rating at their premises.
The scheme will cover places where people eat out, including restaurants, takeaways, mobile caterers, cafés, hotels and pubs; places where people shop for food, such as supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens; and establishments such as schools, hospitals, children’s nurseries and residential care homes.
The statutory scheme introduced by the legislation will be based on the current voluntary Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, operated by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed. A 5 rating means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.
Good food hygiene is important to consumers and food businesses too and the new scheme will benefit both consumers and food businesses.
For consumers, the rating will mean they are able to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat or shop for food.
For businesses, good food hygiene means a good hygiene rating. This could increase trade, as well as meeting food law requirements and protecting their customers from foodborne illness. Every business is capable of achieving a rating of 5 and food businesses that comply with food hygiene requirements have nothing to fear from the new law.
More than 23,000 food businesses in Wales have already received a rating under the voluntary scheme, and many have improved their rating following advice from their local authority food safety officer.
Under the current voluntary scheme, however, businesses do not have to display their rating sticker if they do not wish to do so, meaning the information is not always readily available for the consumer as they enter the business.
The new law in Wales will mean that food businesses will have to display their rating in a prominent place – such as the front door or window – and at every entrance.
The business operator and relevant staff will also have to provide the information verbally if asked, either in a face to face situation as well as over the phone.
Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.
Local authorities will issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display these.
As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website at food.gov.uk/ratings
From November 2014, the scheme will be extended to include food manufacturers, wholesalers and transporters that supply to places where people eat and buy food.
The new scheme will put Wales at the forefront of promoting the standards of food hygiene – this has to be good for consumers and good for business, too.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.