WHEN planning that special Christmas meal with work colleagues, friends or family the Food Standards Agency is urging diners to ‘look before you book’.

Christmas is a time to enjoy good company and good food without worrying about food poisoning.

But the truth is, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how busy it is.

It’s the things you can’t see – like germs spread by bad hygiene practices - that you need to consider.

There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest – check the food hygiene rating.

The food hygiene rating tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses. It’s really easy to check.

Just go online at food.gov.uk/ratings or if you’re out and about check for the green and black sticker and if you can’t see one, just ask.

The ratings are determined by local authority food safety officers and run from zero to five with a five rating meaning a very good level of food hygiene.

Nationally 93 per cent of food businesses are rated three or higher so there are plenty of places with good standards and you can easily avoid taking your family to those not meeting the grade.

In the Stroud district, of the 794 businesses on the scheme, 95 per cent have a score of three or more.

If you don’t see a green and black sticker in the window or you spot a low rating online, you can make a better informed choice.

Cllr Simon Pickering, chairman of Stroud District Council’s environment committee, said: “I don’t want to be a party pooper, but the last thing you want is to be ill before Christmas and it really is easy for people in the district to check hygiene ratings online and choose a restaurant for their Christmas party which takes food hygiene seriously.

“This is an important time for local businesses. A good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of.

“It matters to customers so we are encouraging all businesses in the area to display their rating and have a prosperous Christmas season.”

Catherine Brown, chief executive at the Food Standards Agency, said: “This Christmas, do this one little thing for peace of mind when eating out. Take a moment to check the food hygiene rating, pick the right place, and enjoy a great meal out.”