Nearly two thirds of all food establishments in Rochdale have received written warnings from the council in a year.

Exclusive M.E.N. analysis of Food Standards Agency (FSA) data reveals 993 establishments were sent warning letters by town hall officials for potentially breaching strict standards.

The warnings can cover a variety of legislation breaches - from poor hygiene to paperwork and document errors.

As well as restaurants, shops, stores, takeaways and caterers, the data also covers producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of food.

There are 1,610 registered food establishments in Rochdale, and 62 per cent - 993 businesses - were sent written warnings in 2016/17. Council bosses said the rate of letters ‘was not a negative’ as it showed how they regularly give advice to help businesses. The borough has ‘a thriving food economy’, they added.

Along with simple cautions, formal action can include the voluntary closure of a business, the seizure of food or in the most severe cases of food hygiene or other heath and safety breaches, the suspension or revocation of a licence.

The number of written warnings works out at 62 per cent of all Rochdale’s food establishments - the second highest proportion in the country, and more than twice as high as the national average.

(Image: PA)

Across the UK 161,845 food-related businesses received a warning from their local councils - 26 per cent of the total number of establishments qualifying.

Oldham’s figures were the second worst in Greater Manchester after Rochdale.

Manchester meanwhile had one of the lowest rates of written warnings for possible food legislation breaches, with just 12 per cent of its 565 food businesses being warned.

The area - which has by far the highest number of businesses qualifying - saw 66 establishments face formal action after their warnings.

Next worst for formal enforcement action was Salford with 44, followed by Bolton (28), Rochdale (23), Wigan (22), Oldham (17), Tameside (16), Trafford (12), Bury, eight, and Stockport, seven.

A Rochdale Council spokeswoman said: “We do not see our rate of letters to businesses as a negative as we give food businesses advice at every inspection /intervention and the way we record this advice is in line with the Food Standards Agency definitions. Last year we completed 100pc of our inspection programme, which not all authorities have achieved. We are really proud of this and it gives people confidence in our establishments that they are being checked.

“It is also really encouraging that we have 91pc of businesses compliant/broadly compliant which clearly demonstrates to effectiveness of our information and interventions. We are pleased that businesses within the Rochdale Borough are improving and it’s great to see a thriving food economy in our borough.”

Coun Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives at Oldham Council, said: “A written warning covers everything from a major to a minor infringement. We leave a report sheet on site after inspection and if anything is commented on it is classed as a written warning.

“There are therefore very few businesses that wouldn’t get a written warning as things like replacing a broken tile would class as a written warning. This does not mean they are unhygienic.

“We are committed to ensuring there are no serious lapses in food hygiene in premises across the borough.”

A Stockport Council spokeswoman said: “Stockport carries out a programme of inspections of food premises and takes relevant action to ensure that a high level of food hygiene standards is maintained. This will include issuing written warnings in line with Food Standards Agency guidance where appropriate.”

(Image: Manchester Evening news)

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety at Salford Council, said: “We work with food businesses to help them improve their food hygiene rating and now have more five star rated businesses than at any time since the scheme was launched in January 2011.

“Most businesses welcome our support and are happy to work with us on any improvements required. Where businesses are not or repeatedly fail to improve we will take formal action all the way up to prosecution if necessary. People should be confident that businesses are working to the highest standards when serving food and we will do all we can to ensure that happens. We would ask consumers to check food business rating before buying food on the FSA’s rating page.”

A spokeswoman for Trafford Council said: “Trafford Council carry out a range of enforcement action to ensure that food businesses comply with food hygiene requirements, from providing advice and support to businesses through to undertaking formal enforcement action where necessary, in accordance with Food Standards Agency guidance and the Council’s Enforcement Policy. The levels of enforcement action reflect the compliance levels that were found during food hygiene inspections in Trafford during 2016/17.”

Mark Tilley, assistant director for infrastructure and regulatory services at Wigan Council, said: “We work closely with all food establishments in Wigan Borough to ensure the highest standards of hygiene are met and maintained. When we visit an establishment we always ensure they have a written record outlining the outcome of the inspection and providing them with advice.

"This is not necessarily a warning but just a summary of the visit. If an establishment is given a low score we will work with the owners to address issues and advise them of the steps they need to take to improve their score. Our food hygiene officers visit premises on a regular basis, particularly those with low ratings, to monitor progress and to ensure standards are maintained to where necessary, improved. Business that need advice on how to improve their rating can contact us for support.

“Residents can also look before they book by visiting www.food.gov.uk/ratings to see the ratings awarded to each business.”

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We take the matter of food hygiene extremely seriously and written warnings are issued to all businesses found requiring extensive improvement, as well as those who fail to implement necessary improvements after having been inspected.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Bolton Council provides advice to businesses during inspections and on request to help them improve food safety standards. Following each food hygiene inspection, the business receives a report detailing any contraventions identified during the visit and also recommendations of good practice. Where any contravention is identified, the report is classed as a written warning. Where businesses fail to comply with legal requirements or where there is a significant risk to the public, formal enforcement action will be taken to protect the public’s health.”

Bury Council and Tameside Council did not respond with a comment.