Safe eating identified at a glance

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Auckland diners will soon be able to check how hygienic a restaurant is before they sit down to eat.

Next month, the city council will start grading the hygiene of registered premises preparing or selling food.

Food premises will receive a grade ranging from A, for a high standard, to E, for unsatisfactory with remedial work required.

The large red letter will appear on the annual certificate of registration, which must displayed where it can be seen when a customer walks in.

Results of council food hygiene inspections have not been made public in the past.

Council spokeswoman Wendy Wilkinson said the grades would allow the public to make an informed choice about where they wished to eat.

Food premises would be graded on their physical condition, cleaning and sanitising, and the conduct and training of staff.

Blair Russell, owner of Rocco Restaurant in Ponsonby, said last night that he was pleased customers would be able to see the grades.

"Anything that raises hygiene standards is a good thing."

Ashraf Daud, from Nando's, on Dominion Rd, said the grades would allow customers to know a restaurant was hygienic.

"It will motivate us to have a cleaner place."