The food hygiene ratings for every Italian restaurant in Hexham, Prudhoe and Ponteland are published by the Food Standards Agency.

We’ve taken a look at all the ones in the towns to see how they fared.

Inspections were carried out between 2017 and 2021.

Hexham

Buongiorno - St Mary's Chare - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: November 27, 2019

Vercelli's - Priestpopple - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: December 12, 2019

Prudhoe

Gloria Restaurant - Front Street - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: January 22, 2020

Oli & Joes - South Road - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: July 28, 2021

Ponteland

Fratelli's - Bell Villas - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: October 17, 2017

Rialto Restaurant - Main Street - Hygiene Rating 5 (very good) - Date of inspection: January 20, 2020

What are the ratings?

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the scheme gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online so you can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food.

5 – hygiene standards are very good

4 – hygiene standards are good

3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory

2 – some improvement is necessary

1 – major improvement is necessary

0 – urgent improvement is required

The ratings are a snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with food hygiene law at all times.

This includes:

  • handling of food
  • how food is stored
  • how food is prepared
  • cleanliness of facilities
  • how food safety is managed

The food hygiene rating scheme does not provide information on the following factors:

  • quality of the food  
  • customer service  
  • culinary skill  
  • presentation  
  • comfort

The FSA adds that businesses in England do not have to display their food hygiene rating at their premises, but are encouraged to do so.