Elite award winners from yesterday

To promote better consumer choice, food businesses with consistent achievement of the highest level are now being recognized with our new Elite award. The award is for Food Businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who have achieved three consecutive 5 ratings in the following categories:

• Bar
• Bed and Breakfast
• Café
• Canteen
• Childcare
• Guest House
• Hospital
• Hotel
• Mobile
• Nightclub
• Pub
• Sandwich Shop
• School
• Restaurant
• Takeaway
• University

Currently, the rating only reflects the standards found by the inspector on the day of the last of the last inspection. So whilst it may have been up to the standard of 5 at some point in the last 2 years, the consumer has no way of being assured this is the case on the day of any particular visit. It is much more likely to be the case if the business has achieved this standard over a number of consecutive inspections.

In Denmark the Elite award is presented to businesses who have achieved the top (Super Smiley) designation on the last four consecutive occasions. 83% of all business achieve Super Smiley; 58% achieve Elite.

Here in the UK, over 72% achieve 5 stars, but only 12% are eligible for Elite. So it is important to note that, whist Elite outlets really are the best of the best, it does not necessarily mean that other food outlets are not performing to the top standard. They may simply not have been open long enough to have received 3 inspections.