Businesses that consistently maintain high food standards are being recognised as part of a new scheme launched in honour of last week’s World Food Safety Day (7 June).

The Triple 5 scheme celebrates eateries that gain the top level 5 Food Hygiene Rating and maintain it for at least three inspections – a cycle which takes about six years to complete.

Restaurants, cafes, take-aways and catering vans that achieve Triple 5 status will be sent a letter from Worcestershire Regulatory Services, who carry out food hygiene inspections for Redditch, which they can display to customers. If a business fails to maintain a five rating at future inspections, they will lose Triple 5 status.

23 businesses across Redditch have been awarded the new Triple 5 status.

The National Food Hygiene Rating scheme allows customers to choose where they eat out or grab food on the go with confidence. It rates food businesses from zero to five, with level five businesses deemed to be going above and beyond the required legal food safety standards.

Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, Cllr Lucy Harrison, said: “It takes time and dedication for a business to achieve an award like this and I congratulate all of the businesses who have received this new accolade.

“The Triple 5 scheme celebrates and recognises their commitment to food safety standards and delivering safe practices for their customers. I look forward to more businesses achieving this prestigious status in the coming years.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “I am delighted that so many businesses have achieved Triple 5 status already and I’m sure many more will join them in the future.”

Residents can find out the rating of a food business by visiting the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. There are 200 diseases caused by unsafe food, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers.