New figures show food hygiene standards in Dumfries and Galloway are slipping
Food hygiene standards in Dumfries and Galloway have slipped over the past 12 months.
New figures show that around 92 per cent of premises have been given pass marks in 2025 – compared to 95 per cent this time last year.
And Dumfries and Galloway Council now has the 21st best rate among Scotland's 32 local authorities – down from 13 last year.
The data was compiled by online training provider High peed Training, who analysed Food Standards Agency data for hundreds of thousands of business across the UK.
The firm's head of learning and development, Dr Richard Anderson, said: 'Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them. 15 years have passed since the launch of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, and its place in the industry is as vital as ever.
'These ratings are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates, and we urge businesses and customers to take them seriously.
'For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point. However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, which ultimately have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.'
Businesses in Scotland are given either a pass mark or told improvements are needed following an inspection, which sees safety systems reviewed, food hygiene practices observed and chats with staff.
The data shows that in 2024 there were 776 food businesses in Dumfries and Galloway, with 95.10 per cent of those inspected receiving pass marks.
But in 2025 that has fallen, with 92.49 per cent of 759 businesses getting the green light. THe Scottish average in 2025 is 92.5 per cent.
Last year, it emerged the council's environmental health teams visited 166 premises between April and September – with 148 of them failing to get pass marks.
But the economy and resources committee was told that after follow up visits, the pass rate rose from 11.51 per cent to 80 per cent.
Analysis by the BBC also revealed that, by August last year, two-thirds of the region's restaurants and takeaways had not been visited by food inspectors for more than two years.
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