Food hygiene ratings at Belfast airports with some inspections dating back to 2016 at one

Food hygiene ratings help keep customers informed about the cleanliness and food safety ratings at food businesses across Northern Ireland. While the inspections are carried out by councils, the results are compiled by the Food Standards Agency.

The FSA says: "Some premises might be inspected at least every six months, others much less often. Authorised officers will offer help and advice on food safety.

"They can take action if they find that your standards of food hygiene are not good enough. In serious cases, action might include closing the premises or prosecution."

Read more: The 33 Belfast premises with a food hygiene rating of 1

Read more: We asked the NI public their views on food hygiene ratings

A rating of 5 means a premises is 'very good' in terms of food handling, cleanliness and food safety management with the lowest score of 0, showing urgent improvements are needed.

Food hygiene ratings have to be displayed on site and online to help consumers make informed choices about where they choose to eat. With that in mind, we've taken a look at the food hygiene ratings at Belfast airports ahead of the expected summer rush.

Belfast City Airport

All but one business selling food at Belfast City Airport have a food hygiene rating of 5, with one rating 4. Some of the premises on site have not been inspected since as far back as 2016 compared to the past three years for Belfast International Airport.

Aspire Lounge

Last inspection: 13 November 2018

Inspectors gave the Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport a food hygiene rating of 5 - which means it is 'very good' in terms of hygienic food handling, cleanliness and food safety management.

BaxterStorey at British Airways

Last inspection: 8 January 2020

BaxterStorey at British Airways is also rated 5 for food hygiene

Caffe Nero

Last inspection: 30 March 2022

Cafe Nero in the main terminal was awarded a food hygiene rating of five when it was inspected on March 2020. The airside Cafe Nero is currently awaiting inspection, so has no rating listed on the Food Standards Agency website.

Casia Catering

Last inspection: 24 January 2023

The firm, which supplies sandwiches for Aer Lingus flights has a food hygiene rating of 5, which means it food prep and cleanliness standards are very good.

WH Smith

Last inspection: 28 September 2017

The shop at Belfast City Airport sells sandwiches and other food and obtained a food hygiene rating of 5 when last inspected in September 2017.

World Duty Free (A Dufry Company)

Last inspection: 10 February 2016

The duty free was last inspected by food hygiene raters in 2016, when it was rated 5 for having very good food safety standards.

Artisan Bar/Starbucks/La Piazza

Last inspection: 13 December 2022

These outlets at Belfast City Airport have a food hygiene rating of 4. They were found to be 'good' in terms of hygienic food handling and food safety management and the cleanliness and condition of their facilities was rated 'generally satisfactory'.

Belfast International Airport

All of the food premises at Belfast International have a food hygiene rating of 5, with a new rating expected soon for the Lagan Bar and Grill following a recent inspection. All premises at the airport have been inspected since 2021.

Aelia Duty Free

Last inspection: 1 September 2023

Aelia Duty Free scored 5 at its last inspection. It was rated 'very good' for the cleanliness and condition of the premises and 'good' for both hygienic food handling and food safety management.

Cafe Bar - Gate 22

Last inspection: 4 May 2022

The Cafe Bar at gate 22 also scored 5 on food hygiene. The facilities were rated 'good' and they were given 'very good' for hygienic food handling and food safety management.

Jet Assist (Aviation) Limited

Last inspection: 30 October 2023

Jet Assist is a private VIP and Business Jet Centre at Belfast International Airport and has a food hygiene rating of 5. It scored 'very good' on hygienic food handling and 'good' in relation the cleanliness of the premises and food safety management.

Lagan Bar and Restaurant

Last inspection: 29 March 2022

The Lagan Bar and Restaurant was recently inspected with a new rating to be published soon. It scored 5 at the last inspection on March 2022.

Sip and Stone

Last inspection: 25 April 2023

On its last inspection, Sip and Stone, was rated 5 which is 'very good' overall. It was 'very good' on food safety management and 'good' on both hygienic food handling and the cleanliness of its premises.

Starbucks

Last inspection: 30 January 2024

Starbucks at Belfast International has a food hygiene rating of 5. It rated 'good' in terms of its premises and 'very good' on food handling and food safety management.

WH Smith

Last inspection: 3 February 2022

WH Smith has four different premises that are inspected on food hygiene at Belfast International. All four have a rating of 5. The shop at check-in was last inspected in Feb 2022 and the one at arrivals in November 2021. The airside WH Smiths was inspected in February 2022 while the other airside shop was last inspected in July 2021.

This list was correct at the time of publication. For up-to-date information or to search for the hygiene ratings for premises near you, visit ratings.food.gov.uk.

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