The revelation came as pubs, takeaways, fish and chip shops and restaurants failing to meet standards were named and shamed on a new website introduced by standards agencies nationwide, including those in Barnsley Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. By visiting the new website www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk, which was launched on Tuesday, diners can for the first time check whether their favourite eatery cuts the mustard - and across the Dearne Valley the results could be enough to turn your stomach.
Under the scheme, premises are rated from 0-5 stars on standards of hygiene, structure and management, with five being very good and zero being very bad.
Out of 60 premises inspected in Mexborough, 14 scored no stars at all, 18 scored just one, 13 scored two and nine managed to score three. Five premises were rated four stars, and only one - a care home - got the maximum five-star rating.
In Swinton, of 42 outlets visited, three were rated as zero, 11 scored one star, 14 scored two, nine scored three and three scored four, with no five-star ratings.
Across the wider Dearne Valley area, well over 100 premises have been given a one star rating or poorer.
The rating system considers compliance with food hygiene and safety, including handling practices and temperature control; whether the structure of the building meets required standards, including cleaning, repair and layout; and confidence in food safety management control systems, including training of staff.
Officers tally the total score from these three categories to calculate an establishment's food business rating. The better the standards of food safety the higher the number of stars awarded. This ranges from 5 stars (excellent) to no stars (major improvements needed/very poor).
From page 1
Businesses that achieved a rating of 3 stars or above will receive a hygiene award certificate to display on the premises.
The Food Standards Agency risk rating scoring scheme aims to act as an incentive to improve hygiene standards in all food premises inspected.
Mark Ford, Neighbourhoods Standards Manager for Rotherham Borough Council, said: "This is an exciting initiative that helps customers check out the safest premises to purchase their food. In these days of increasing awareness of food quality and hygiene issues, it is important that members of the public are provided with even more information before they make a purchase.
"There are many extremely good food outlets in the region and we believe that by publicising information about the businesses food hygiene standards, it will act as an incentive for all businesses to ensure high standards of hygiene are maintained."
Doncaster Council's Community Director for Safer, Stronger and Sustainable Communities, Jane Miller, said "This is a really useful site that allows people to make informed choices not only on the quality, but on the safety of their food. The site complements the existing work of Doncaster Council in keeping our local outlets safe and up to date with regulations."
Details of all the businesses the participating councils have inspected since January 2006 (the date new European legislation came into effect) have been published, and the web page also includes a 'right to reply' section for food business operators to use.