The latest inspection conducted by the Food Standards Agency, revealed that 200 school canteens failed to meet the basic food hygiene standards set by the agency.
Food Standards Agency latest figures show that 126 school were only given two star and 73 school received only a single star under the FSA ratings system.
Food inspectors rate school premises from zero to five. A single star calls for a major improvement and two stars were given to establishment if there were improvements necessary to do. "Those named and shamed include breakfast and after-school clubs, children's nurseries, primary and high schools," according to Mirror.
The ratings scheme started way back in 2008 to make sure all establishments served food that followed specific hygienic standards to the public. It follows a series of inspections by the local authority on environmental health departments, checking on how the various establishments managed their food handling standards in terms of hygiene and cooking.
The inspections now include, pubs, cafes, supermarkets, hospitals and home cares as well as prisons. Experts observe how food is handled. They also look at the condition of the building, including ventilation, lighting and cleanliness of the area. Five star means "very good" in hygiene standard.
The ratings are posted on the doors of the different establishments.
Paul Hiscoe, founder of the consumer website explained that schools who lagged behind in their ratings will get a warning from the officials of the health department and they could face legal action if they fail to improve and comply with the requirements.
He said, "If schools get a major improvement required rating they will have letters from environmental health departments and ultimately if they are not satisfied they are cooperating then they could take them to court."
But he praised the ratings scheme because it improved hygiene standards among many food providers.
He said, "Because of this initiative we have seen big improvements. Major food firms have used this information to improve their compliance. It's had an impact on providers because they have cleaned up their act.
"Local authorities now have a duty to inform the public about what they find. Until a few years ago this information was kept private between the inspector and the food business."
