Guernsey food retailers face closure threat over poor hygiene

More than 300 businesses have been rated since the scheme was introduced early in 2014

A number of Guernsey businesses face closure if they do not improve their hygiene rating, say environmental health officers.

The 11 local establishments have been given improvement notices after advice from the department was ignored.

Three of those businesses have a zero star rating for their food hygiene, under the 18-month-old ratings system.

Dr Val Cameron, environmental health director, said it was always regrettable when action was needed.

She said: "The vast majority of local food businesses run good operations and have good standards of hygiene.

"When we come across small businesses like this, it is very rarely this happens, but when it does we have to protect the public from food poisoning."

The three businesses given a zero star rating are Simon Says, Da Bruno Restaurant and the Boulangerie Victor Hugo.

Earlier this week, Boulangerie Victor Hugo was given a £9,000 fine, after a case from Environmental health was brought against the business over poor hygiene.

Dr Cameron said: "Food poisoning is an extremely serious issue, it can be mild but it can also lead to death and we can't stand by and allow that to happen."