Food safety inspection reports to be published online

Food safety inspection reports to be published online

Councils in Scotland are planning to publish confidential food safety inspection reports on their websites to allow the public to check the cleanliness of restaurants in their areas. Other details will include cooking methods, staff hygiene training and equipment maintenance.

Glasgow City Council and Aberdeen and Edinburgh Council all support the online publishing of the reports which would help them to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. However, others are more reluctant to publicise food and safety reports. Westminster Council has refused to release full details of inspections arguing that they would cause "confusion and panic". Not a very good advert for eating out in London.

Before you book be your own food inspector (The Herald, 8 May 2005)