These requirements are all set out in law, and the Food Standards Agency operates a rating scheme in partnership with local authorities that carry out inspections of premises.
The score sheet runs from zero – meaning ‘urgent improvement is required’ – to five, denoting a place where hygiene standards are ‘very good’.
Ratings are a snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. The criteria include handling of food; how food is stored and prepared; cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed.
Happily there are many Indian takeaways and restaurants in Chesterfield that have achieved full five-star ratings. Here are 10 of the best, based on the most recent data available from the FSA.
![Zahid Indian Cuisine, on Chatsworth Road, has a five-star food hygiene rating.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAxMjEzNzVlLTVkNzAtNDA4YS04YWZkLWI0ZjIyMjE1MjY0ZDpiY2MwYmM0Mi1hZDBlLTQzY2UtOGU1ZS1mM2Q2ZWEzZTYyZDQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Zahid
Zahid Indian Cuisine, on Chatsworth Road, has a five-star food hygiene rating. Photo: Rachel Atkins
![Indian Blues, on Corporation Street, has a top hygiene score.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE4YTFmYmRhLTkxOTAtNDczNi1hMmQ5LTlhMTk3OWZhZDQ5MjowMWNhZDBkMy0wYmI2LTQ1MzgtOTNjZi03NzQ2YTkxYTM5ZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Indian Blues
Indian Blues, on Corporation Street, has a top hygiene score. Photo: Jason Chadwick
![West Bars Tandoori has a five-star rating.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIwZmQyNTU2LWM1MTEtNDFiOC05ZTRkLTEwMDdjZDIwZDhjNTpkMTdlYzk3MC0zZjVmLTQwYjYtYjEzZi1mOWI4M2M3Mjc0MDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Chutney Spice on Church Street, Brimington, has a five-star hygiene score.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNhNTM4YTY0LWU0NWItNDRiNC1hODQwLTNhZDRhYjJiMjFiYTplODExMTdkNC0yZDM0LTRkNTgtYTc5Ny1mNjdiYTNhYTNkNWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Chutney Spice
Chutney Spice on Church Street, Brimington, has a five-star hygiene score. Photo: Rachel Atkins