SEVERAL venues have been given a perfect five-out-of-five score following food hygiene inspections.

Five eateries in the borough received the highest rating following a visit by the Food Standards Agency.

The FSA is responsible for ensuring that establishments are up to scratch in terms of food hygiene regulations, and that they are safe to frequent.

READ > Wait is nearly over for second series of The Responder

Establishments are graded against the following criteria:

  • Hygienic food handling - Hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage.
  • Management of food safety - System or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.
  • Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building (including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) to enable good food hygiene.

Ranging from zero to five, food hygiene ratings are given to food handling businesses after an inspection has assessed how well they comply with food safety laws.

The rating reflects the standards of food hygiene found on the date of the inspection.

Here is how the scores are graded.

5 – hygiene standards are very good

4 – hygiene standards are good

3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory

2 – some improvement is necessary

1 – major improvement is necessary

0 – urgent improvement is required

If businesses are awarded a score lower than five, the local authority officer will explain what action they can take to improve.

Five venues in St Helens have been awarded the "very good" rating of five.

Which venues received five-out-of-five?

  • Rated 5: Houghton's Bistro at Warrington Road, Rainhill; rated on April 12
  • Rated 5: The Hayloft at Sandy Lane Farm, Sandy Lane, Bold Heath; rated on April 4
  • Rated 5: Boss Kitchen at Pocket Nook Street, St Helens; rated on April 2
  • Rated 5: Salt & Pepper Box at Station Street, Rainhill; rated on April 10
  • Rated 5: Crispy Cod, Kenyons Lane South, Haydock; rated on April 8