Almost 700 inspections were carried out at food premises across Wealden in a 12 month period during 2021-22.

That included 152 micro-businesses operating from domestic establishments, which applied to be registered and each was visited as a priority to ensure they received the support and advice to operate safely.

The details are included in Wealden District Council’s Food Hygiene Service Plan, which governs the food hygiene work of the authority for the year.

The council – through a shared service with Rother District Council - carries out the Food Hygiene Scheme on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, which sets out the numerical scheme of 0-5 food hygiene rating that local authorities must use at each inspection.

Reassuringly, 981 food premises – which includes restaurants, pubs, hotels, care homes, schools, takeaways and mobile food suppliers – received very good food hygiene ratings which is a number 5.

Some 906 food premises were due for inspection in 2021-22 but many had to close for significant periods due to the Covid-19 pandemic while others operated sporadically and many stopped trading completely.

For the year 2022-23 the total number of food premises due for inspection is 817.

The Food Hygiene Service Plan must now be approved by Full Council as it forms part of the council’s policy framework and is expected to be ratified later this month.

Councillor Pam Doodes, Wealden’s portfolio holder for Climate Change, Public Health and Community Leadership, said, “It is very reassuring to see that the vast majority of food businesses in Wealden have received a very good food hygiene rating despite the difficulties of the past two years.

“Wealden District Council is committed to protecting public health and we encourage consumers to support all five rated businesses, look for the sticker or check online atSearch the Wealden area/Food Hygiene for further information.”