Food hygiene rating scheme for businesses
The food hygiene rating scheme is a national initiative, run by the Food Standards Agency.
Businesses included in the food hygiene rating scheme
The scheme is aimed at establishments which supply food directly to consumers. Exempt businesses include:
- Those who do not supply food directly to the public eg manufacturers, packers, distributors and wholesalers.
- Newsagents, chemists and gift shops that sell packaged biscuits and sweets alongside other goods.
- Certain establishments operating from private addresses eg childminders and other caring services. However these can opt into the scheme for commercial purposes if they wish. The details of these premises will be treated as sensitive and home details are not published on the website. Home caterers are included.
Food hygiene inspections
The Food Standards Agency sets out how food hygiene inspections are done based on the:
The system assesses:
- compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures
- compliance with structural requirements
- confidence in the management and control procedures
Food hygiene rating system
View your food hygiene rating
The ratings are as follows:
- 5 - Very good
- 4 - Good
- 3 - Generally satisfactory
- 2 - Improvement necessary
- 1 - Major improvement necessary
- 0 - Urgent improvement necessary
Displaying your rating is voluntary.
Improving your food hygiene rating
To download Food Standards Agency pack that can help you meet the relevant legislation please:
- Visit Safer Food Better Business(opens in a new window)
- Hard copies are no longer available.
Change your food hygiene rating
Ratings are based on an inspection by a qualified food safety officer and will only be changed in exceptional circumstances. If you are unhappy with your rating you can either, appeal your food hygiene rating or request a revisit (there is a fee of £160 for a revisit which must have been paid when you submit your revisit request form):
Appeal your food hygiene rating
Pay for your revisit*
Request your revisit
*please make a note of your payment reference as you will need this to complete your revisit request form
You can also add a message commenting on your rating or flag up any improvement work you have done since your last inspection, this is your 'right to reply':
Complete the 'right to reply' form
For further information about the procedures for appeal, right to reply and request a revisit, please: