This scheme makes it easier for consumers to choose places with good hygiene standards when they eat out or shop for food. This may include restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels and supermarkets. See the food rating list.
Your hygiene rating
Your business will be given one of the following hygiene ratings following an unannounced inspection by a food safety officer. Your rating depends on the standards of hygiene found at the time of inspection.
5 = very good
4 = good
3 = generally satisfactory
2 = improvement necessary
1 = major improvement necessary
0 = urgent improvement necessary
The food hygiene rating is not a guide to quality.
Calculating your rating
The rating you are given will depend on:
- how hygienically the food was handled – how it was prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored, and what measures were taken to prevent food being contaminated with bacteria
- the condition of the structure of your premises, including cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation, equipment and other facilities
- how you manage and record what you do to make sure food is safe.
Inspection report
After your inspection you will be sent an inspection report explaining any improvements needed and what you can do to achieve a higher rating.
You will be sent a rating sticker which you can display to advertise your hygiene standards.
If you are unsure of some of the terms used in your report please refer to the food inspection glossary.
Appeal your rating
You can submit an appeal if you think your hygiene rating is wrong or unfair. You must lodge an appeal within 21 days of being told what your hygiene rating is.
Right to reply
You have a right to reply if you have improved the hygiene standards of your food premises since your last inspection, or if there were unusual circumstances at the time of your inspection and you want to explain this to your customers. This will be published with your hygiene rating.
Improve your rating
You can ask for another visit to get a new rating if you make the improvements to hygiene standards that you were told about in your inspection report. There is a charge of £225 for this visit.
To request a revisit complete the form and supply evidence of the improvements made. An unannounced visit will be carried out within three months of payment being received. There is no limit on the number of requests you can make.
