A YOUNG entrepreneur is launching a new app which will help outlet owners and staff achieve higher food hygiene ratings.

Tahmid Uddin, 23, from Newport, has created the Food Safety Diary app for use by cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, hotels, caterers, and take-aways.

He found that the way outlets keep records can have serious effect on ratings, so he created the Food Safety Diary which puts all records in one place and provides the local authority with all the information it needs. The information can also be accessed by all staff via the app.

He said: “Food hygiene safety scores must be displayed publicly. Often, people will look for the score on the door or online and choose a place with a five score over a three or four.

“The difference between a top score of five and a lower score can often be the paperwork systems which restaurants, cafes, and take-aways use to ensure their food is safe.

"Without excellent record keeping, food outlets could be missing out on customers and losing valuable trade. It’s a very competitive marketplace."

He added: "The reality is that better record keeping means better food hygiene ratings, and better hygiene ratings mean more customers, more trade, and better profits."

Mr Uddin's family members work in the food industry so he understands first-hand how the process works.

He added: "I understand how busy these businesses can be. They inspired me to create something to help people working in food businesses.

“I established a cash and carry providing ingredients to the catering sector in 2015, so I have been in contact with many food businesses in the past few years and understand the pressures they face.”

The app will be available in the next few weeks and will be available from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can register your interest online at fsdregister.co.uk.