Investigation: What the food inspectors found in your local take-away

The 'scores on the doors' scheme for food hygiene is a familiar sight across our towns and cities but what does it mean when a premises scores zero? Sarah Hartley has started to map what exactly the inspectors saw across the north.

Their findings lead to the scores which should be displayed prominently on every restaurant, cafe, work canteens and take-away as the Food Standards Agency explains: " The hygiene standards found at the time of inspection are rated on a scale. At the bottom of the scale is '0' – this means urgent improvement is required. At the top of the scale is '5' – this means the hygiene standards are very good."

But what diners and shoppers aren't told is what exactly led to the premises being zero rated and requiring urgent improvement.

Read full article at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jul/05/sunderland-carlisle-food-safety-hygiene