Northern Ireland embraces food safety standards system

The health and hygiene certificate rolled out across the UK seven months ago has now been implemented in Northern Ireland and has received local support.

Councillor Niall O Donnghaile, mayor of Belfast, lauded the Food Hygiene Rating System (FHRS) and pointed out that it will be good for both customers and businesses, reported the Morning Advertiser.

He told the publication: "I'm delighted to say that the majority of rated premises are scoring either top rating or four out of five, so I think that's something we can all be very proud of."

The local government official claimed that the new standards will build on the previous Scores on the Doors campaign launched four years ago in Belfast.

However, the Ulster Star this week pointed out that not all local authorities in the country have signed up to the FHRS, such as Lisburn City Council, which told the newspaper it intends to do so in the near future.