THE Food Standard's Agency has awarded new food hygiene ratings to 12 Braintree establishments.

The ratings have been given to a mix of establishments, including restaurants, cafes, canteens, pubs, bars, nightclubs and takeaways.

According to the FSA, "the scheme gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online so you can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food."

On their website, they explain how the ratings are done, saying they are a "snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with food hygiene law at all times".

They added: "This includes, handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed.

"The food hygiene rating scheme does not provide information on the quality of the food, customer service, culinary skills, presentation or comfort."

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Here are the new ratings that have been given out in the Braintree district:

• Rated 5: Essex Meals On Wheels at 10 Stepfield, Witham, Essex; rated on March 16

• Rated 5: Bannatyne Health Club Braintree at Springwood Drive, Braintree, Essex; rated on March 4

• Rated 5: Flacks Coffee at 5 Broadway, Silver End, Essex; rated on March 1

• Rated 5: The Windmill Bistro at Pollys Field Village, Church Lane, Braintree, Essex; rated on March 1

• Rated 5: Tim Hortons Cafe And Bake at Tim Hortons, Galleys Corner, Braintree Road, Cressing; rated on March 1

• Rated 5: The Chophouse Braintree at 34 New Street, Braintree, Essex; rated on December 3

And three ratings have been handed to pubs, bars or nightclubs:

• Rated 5: The Bell at Kynaston Road, Panfield, Braintree, Essex; rated on March 14

• Rated 5: The Bell Inn at 10 St James Street, Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Essex; rated on March 14

• Rated 5: The Horse And Groom PH at 20 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex; rated on March 10

Plus three ratings for takeaways:

• Rated 5: Pop In at 10 Church Street, Witham, Essex; rated on March 9

• Rated 4: Bodrum Kebab at 99a Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex; rated on December 14

• Rated 3: Hoviwa at 82a Manor Street, Braintree, Essex; rated on February 9