Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

What is the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a national scheme which gives food businesses a hygiene rating based upon conditions found at the time of a food hygiene inspection.

You can use it to help you choose where to eat out or shop for food.

Who runs the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?

Local Authority Environmental Health Departments, in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Who does the scheme apply to?

All food businesses, for example restaurants, takeaways, cafes, sandwich shops, food retailers, and supermarkets.

When are businesses rated?

Businesses are rated as part of a programmed food hygiene inspection. The frequency of inspection varies dependant upon the risk associated with a business.

How are businesses rated?

All businesses are risk rated as part of their programmed food hygiene inspection. Three aspects of this rating give the food hygiene rating of a business. These are: hygiene standards, structure and cleanliness of the premises and how food safety is managed and documented.

What are the ratings?

A business is given one of six ratings from 0 (urgent improvements required) to 5 (very good).

Where can I find a hygiene rating for a business?

Food hygiene ratings can be found at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.

Where can I find more information about the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?

More information can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency.

Consent for early publication of rating

As the food business operator of the establishment you may request that your new rating is published on www.food.gov.uk/ratings before the period in which you can appeal against the rating has elapsed.

I operate a food business and I do not agree with my rating. What can I do?

Safeguards are built into the scheme which allows food businesses:

• To appeal if they do not agree with their rating. An appeal must be made within 21 days of receiving your rating. 
• A right to reply, if improvements have been implemented since the last inspection. 
• The opportunity to request a re-visit or re-inspection. A fee of £250 per request is applied to this service.

If you run a business and you wish to use any of these safeguards, you need to apply in writing. Forms can be downloaded from this page:

• Appeal form (Word, 124 Kb)
• Right to reply form (Word, 123 Kb)
• Request a re-visit or re-inspection form (Word, 127 Kb)
• Consent for early publication of rating request form (Word, 108 Kb)

If you have requested a revisit, you can pay for the revisit online. Please do not pay until you have submitted your application form. When you apply we will send you the reference number for our payment website.