Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

Your local council will give your food business a food hygiene rating after a food safety inspection. The inspection checks if your business is meeting food hygiene law so that the food you sell is safe to eat.

The rating reflects the hygiene standards found in your business at the time of inspection.

What is a food business assessed on?

During the inspection, the food safety officer will check:

• how your business handles food and what food safety controls are in place - including how you prepare, cook, re-heat, cool and store food
• the physical condition of the business - the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation, pest control and other facilities
• how your business manages safety of food - including processes, staff training and systems to ensure you maintain good hygiene in the future

These checks ensure that you meet food hygiene standards and that the food you serve or sell is safe to eat. Find out more about what to expect from a food safety inspection.

Exemptions

Some food businesses are exempt from the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, including:

• businesses that are low-risk to public health, for example, newsagents, chemist shops or visitor centres selling pre-packaged food that does not require refrigeration
• childminders and businesses that offer caring services in a private home

What food hygiene rating can I achieve?

After the inspection, the food safety officer will give your business one of the following ratings:

• 5 - hygiene standards are very good
• 4 - hygiene standards are good
• 3 - hygiene standards are generally satisfactory
• 2 - some improvement is necessary
• 1 - major improvement is necessary
• 0 - urgent improvement is required

To get the top rating of 5, your business must comply with food hygiene law. Once you are issued with a rating sticker, you are legally required to display it at or near each customer entrance to the business. This is often the front door or window. Your customers will also be able to check your food hygiene ratings online.

How often are food businesses inspected?

Your local council will give your business a new food hygiene rating each time it carries a food hygiene inspection of your premises. Businesses that handle higher risk food, or that have a history of poor compliance, are inspected more often.

If you are unhappy with your rating, you can appeal your rating or request a re-rating inspection from your local council.

How to achieve a high food hygiene rating

All businesses should be able to achieve the top food hygiene rating of 5 by consistently meeting food hygiene law. Your local council food safety officer can advise on what you need to do to comply with food hygiene requirements and improve your rating where necessary.

The Food Standards Agency has a range of tools, such as the Safe Catering guide and Safer food, better business pack that can help businesses manage food hygiene. It also provides general guidance on food hygiene and food law inspection.

Find out more about hygiene for food businesses.