Hygiene standards of food businesses in Elmbridge will be displayed in a new way from August 1.

Elmbridge Council has joined the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), which provides information on food hygiene standards to help people choose where to shop for food and where to eat.

Food outlets across the borough will be inspected by a council food safety officer and rated on a scale from zero to five.

The inspections will check that hygiene standards meet legal requirements and outlets given a five rating indicates a very good standard, while zero means urgent improvements are needed.

Once the inspection is carried out, business will be given a new FHRS sticker and certificate showing their rating, which they are encouraged to display at their entrance.

Councillor Glenn Dearlove, portfolio holder for environment, said: “Although we have run our own successful food hygiene scheme for a number of years, we have now opted to change to the national FHRS scoring criteria, as having a single scheme which is consistent nationwide will have benefits for local food businesses and the people that eat or shop in them.”

The scheme was developed by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.