Eight child care, care agencies, and school facilities through Edinburgh and the Lothians have been told they require improvement after food safety and hygiene inspections this year.
Four nurseries across Midlothian earned an “Improvement Required” rating for food safety and hygiene from Food Standards Scotland.
In Edinburgh City, two primary schools also fell short of the Food Stand Agency’s pass/improvement required criteria. Additionally, two care homes and agencies in the city earned “Improvement Required” ratings.
According to Food Standards Scotland, all food outlets must have food hygiene inspections which are undertaken by local authorities.
“Following this inspection the food outlet will be given a Food Hygiene Information Scheme rating based on their inspection results,” Food Standards Scotland explained.
There are four possible ratings: Pass; Improvement Required, Exempt Premises; or Awaiting Inspection.
FSS said: “Improvement Required means the business didn’t meet the legal requirements and needs to make improvements.”
In Edinburgh, Newcraighall Primary School and St Marys RC Primary School both earned “Improvement Required” ratings.
Newcraighall Primary in Musselburgh is one of the city’s state schools, and it describes itself as one of the smallest primary schools in Edinburgh. Food safety inspectors went to the school in June, and gave it the lowest rating because it didn't meet legal requirements.
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St Mary’s Primary in Bonnyrigg is a Catholic public school for young students. Edinburgh food safety inspectors went to the school in September and likewise told the establishment it needs to make improvements regarding food health and safety.
Midlothian had the highest number of regional nurseries which were told to make improvements following food safety inspections this year.
Happy Days Eskbank, Happy Days Nursery Dalkeith, Mount Esk Nursery School and Tynewater Primary School Nursery all earned “Improvement Required” ratings, and the details have yet to be unveiled.
In addition to children’s schools and care facilities, two of Edinburgh City’s care facilities were told to make improvements after food safety inspections this year.
The Action Group, which describes itself as a care organisation that offers support and advice to thousands of children, young people, and adults who need additional support across East Central Scotland, was rated as "improvement required."
Likewise, Caring in Craigmillar, which provides care services for older people in the Edinburgh area, was given an “Improvement Required” rating over the summer.
Although the results and date of each inspection are posted publicly on the Food Standards Agency website, the details of each inspection are not. The details of each inspection have been requested from the local authorities for food hygiene and inspection.
East Lothian and West Lothian did not have any care facilities, nurseries or schools to get "improvement required" ratings this year.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson confirmed that inspection teams carry out regular food safety inspections throughout the city and these include all premises that sell food, including schools and nurseries. When they find that improvements are required, they work with the schools to provide guidance and support to enable them to meet the standards expected.
The council said it is also worth noting that Improvement Required certificates do not suggest that there is any imminent risk to health.
Midlothian council has been approached.
For more information or to search Food Standard Agency results, visit the website here.
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