THOUSANDS of North-East takeaways, restaurants and cafés are set to lose out as more and more savvy customers are checking how their local has been scored by the Food Standards Agency.

More than 2,000 food premises, including hundreds in County Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, with a hygiene rating of three and under are losing customers, a report published today reveals.

The report suggests more than a third of people in the region are now turning away from takeaways and food outlets who have failed to achieve a four or five-rated hygiene rating.

In the UK, most food outlets are scored between zero, urgent improvement required, 1, major improvement necessary, 2, some improvement necessary, 3 hygiene standards generally satisfactory, 4 hygiene standards are good and 5, hygiene standards are very good.

The Northern Echo:

Businesses are assessed on the handling of food, how it is stored and prepared, while the cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed is probed.

Today, British insurer NFU Mutual - which protects thousands of food and hospitality businesses - said hygiene ratings were 'more important' to consumers than ever before. 

In its 'A Fresh Look at Food Hygiene' report, it said more than two thirds of people said they actively checked ratings on Britain's takeaways.

Current hygiene ratings across the region confirm 534 businesses in County Durham score three and under, followed by 336 in Sunderland and 237 in the Newcastle area.

'They may have something to hide'

The Northern Echo:

Darren Seward, hospitality sector specialist at NFU Mutual, said: "Nobody wants to risk putting off their Valentine’s date with an unfortunate gift of food poisoning.

“Businesses with a rating of four or five tend to show it off at the door with pride, so if you can’t find the rating sticker, your venue might have something to hide.

"Check the Food Standards Agency tool online in advance or ask the restaurant before you book, as they have a duty to tell you.”

'Businesses with 3 and below should prioritise hygiene'

Mr Seward added: “Judged by the court of public opinion, even the smallest lapse in hygiene standards can make or break a reputation overnight, so it’s important that businesses don’t get complacent about food hygiene.

"Businesses with a rating of 3 and below should prioritise hygiene now in anticipation for the legal proposals to be reawakened or risk the potential to lose up to a third of custom.”