Hundreds of Edinburgh restaurants have been left waiting for certification that their eateries meet Scotland’s legal food standards as inspectors wrestle with an 18-month backlog of requests.
Prominent eateries including the new Bonnie and Wild food hall at the St James Quarter and international brands such as Starbucks and Taco Bell are all still to be accredited with a Food Standards Scotland (FSS) pass certificate.
READ MORE - Look inside Edinburgh's most viewed property of 2021 with private gym, wine cellar and sauna
Data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request found just 40 of 550 food outlets to open in the Capital between April 6 2020 and 2021 received a visit from health inspectors within 28 days of welcoming customers through the door.
It means 510 bakers, bars, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants are yet to have their premises approved as meeting the minimum legal requirements for food hygiene - despite some operating for more than a year after a flurry of openings combined with the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.
City of Edinburgh Council said it was working with FSS to “re-establish the usual programme of food law inspections” over the coming months.
An online register maintained by FSS shows almost 400 food outlets currently have an ‘awaiting inspection’ ranking, covering everything from greasy spoons to top rated eateries.
The watchdog awards hygiene ratings in two categories; pass or ‘improvement required’ however it is down to local authority environmental health teams to carry out checks and enforce recommendations.
One cafe owner told Edinburgh Live they had been ‘frustrated’ by a perceived ‘lack of urgency’ to help clear the build up of requests before customers were allowed to return to indoor dining earlier this summer.
A Council spokesperson said: “Since the pandemic started last March our Environmental Health Service has been focused on the city’s covid response including assisting the NHS, supporting businesses to help them follow public health guidance and providing Asymptomatic Test Centres.
“This approach was fully endorsed by Food Standards Scotland and we’re working with them on a local authority recovery plan to re-establish our usual programme of food law inspections at an appropriate time.”
Hotel chain Premier Inn and coffee shop Costa are among others still awaiting a passing certificate.
Outlets usually undergo an initial inspection of their hygiene measures before opening as part of their licensing application, but are expected to have a repeat visit once they are operational to ensure protocols are being followed.
A spokesman for Bonnie and Wild said: "Bonnie & Wild had its initial inspection as part of its licensing application.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues at City of Edinburgh Council in the months and years ahead."
