FOOD businesses have been praised for their high standards of hygiene.

Ratings of venues such as shops and restaurants gathered through the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) show that businesses in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire are amongst the most hygienic places to eat in Scotland.

Renfrewshire was ranked second out of all 32 Scottish council areas, with East Renfrewshire in fourth place.

Of the 1,330 rated food businesses in Renfrewshire, only 12 were told they needed to improve their standards.

Within the area, 99% of businesses passed inspection and are compliant with Scottish food standards.

Just seven of the 493 rated businesses in East Renfrewshire did not meet the food requirements.

South Ayrshire was identified as the most hygienic region in Scotland, with just 0.5% of its 1,170 food businesses told to improve standards.

In contrast, Aberdeen was ranked as the least hygienic region, with more than one in six food businesses deemed to have unsatisfactory hygiene practices.

The FHIS ratings cover anywhere people can eat out or shop for food, including restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways and supermarkets.

Each food business is rated as either ‘pass and eat safe,’ ‘pass’ or ‘improvement required.’

More than 43,000 businesses across Scotland were inspected before the ratings were published.

For a business to achieve the top rating, they must show they have gone above and beyond the minimum legal requirements.

Across the country as a whole, 6% of food businesses were rated as ‘improvement required.’

Experts at Maxima Kitchen Equipment (www.maximakitchenequipment.com/en/), which analysed the FHIS data, have stressed the importance of food standards being met.

A spokesperson said: “In Scotland, there are around 43,000 cases of foodborne illnesses annually, so finding reputable food establishments is crucial to the public.

“The majority of food businesses do pass the minimum requirements but there is always room for improvement to ensure safe food preparation and handling.”