Food grading search

The Environmental Health Officers grade food premises so that you can make a more informed decision when choosing a restaurant or buying food.

Shops, restaurants and cafés throughout North Shore City are graded from 'A' to 'E' on their standards of cleanliness, food handling and staff training in food safety. An 'A' grade reflects a very low food safety risk at the time of inspection and an 'E' grade identifies serious risks.

When a new premises has just opened or the business has just changed hands the food premises is given a license which has the initials TBG written on it which means "To Be Graded". The business retains this status until a grading inspection is carried out two to three weeks after opening and then a graded license will be given to the occupier which he will display near the principle entrance.

The grades are based on the conditions and practices observed on the day of the inspection. They will be clearly marked on registration certificates that must be prominently displayed in all food premises.

Some food premises have a food safety programme in place approved by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). These premises are exempt from being graded by North Shore City Council and are subject to regular audits by the NZFSA.