Ratings
To determine a rating for the premises an inspection by one of our food safety officers is required. Ratings are between 0 and 5:
0 – urgent improvement required
1 – major improvement necessary
2 – some improvement necessary
3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory
4 – hygiene standards are good
5 – hygiene standards are very good
Businesses are given a window sticker for display and ratings are published online.
A new FHRS rating will be given each time a business is inspected.
The rating reflects the standards of food safety and hygiene found at the time of the inspection. It doesn’t take into account factors such as food quality or customer service.
- find out how to prepare for an inspection
- search for ratings for businesses
- find out more about the FHRS
Businesses included in FHRS
Food businesses that supply food directly to the public are included in the scheme. This will usually include all caterers and most retailers.
Food businesses such as manufacturers, distributors and importers are excluded from the scheme, as are businesses that are not normally considered as a food business by the public, such as pharmacies and some newsagents.
How are ratings worked out?
During an inspection, the food safety officer will check the following key areas:
- food hygiene and food safety – how food is stored, prepared, handled, cooked; controls to prevent contamination
- structure – the physical condition of the business including cleaning, equipment and facilities, pest control, layout
- confidence in management – how the business is managed to ensure safe food, staff training, systems and documentation and the level of confidence that standards will be maintained or improved
The officer will give a score for each of these three areas which will determine the overall FHRS rating for the business.
The scores can range from 0 (high standards) to 30 (almost total non-compliance). Businesses that have low scores for each of the three elements will achieve a high FHRS rating.
The 3 individual scores and how these three scores translate into the FHRS rating are given on the inspection report left with each business. The food safety officer will explain why the rating was given and what action is needed to improve the rating.
Food safety officers may carry out a re-visit to the business to check that issues found during the inspection have been dealt with but they will not re-rate the business under FHRS.
What can a business do if it disagrees with the rating?
Making an appeal
If you think that your FHRS rating is wrong or unfair and does not reflect the standards at the time of the inspection, you can make an appeal.
You must make an appeal in writing explaining why you think that the rating is wrong and the appeal must be submitted within 21 days of receiving your rating.
We will review your rating and we will inform you of the outcome within 21 days.
What can a business do to improve its rating?
Ensure that you have taken action to complete all of the legal requirements in your last inspection report.
We’ll provide you with advice on how to improve your rating during your inspection. Use the Food Standards Agency resources to help you to manage and improve food safety in your business.
You will be given a new FHRS rating at your next inspection.
Requesting a re-inspection (fee required)
You can request a re-inspection within three months of your last inspection. A £342 fee is charged for this service and it’s only granted in certain circumstances.
You should contact the food safety officer who carried out the original inspection to discuss the most appropriate option for your business. If your request is agreed, the food safety officer will carry out a full re-inspection. To request a re-inspection to be completed within 3 months of your inspection, complete our form:
Your FHRS rating will be determined by the standards found during the re-inspection and as such your rating could go up, go down or stay the same.
Right to reply
You have a right to reply in respect of the food hygiene rating given following your inspection.
You can use a right to reply to explain what action you have taken or improvements that have been made since the inspection.
It can also be used to explain any unusual circumstances at the time of the inspection. It is not for making complaints or for criticising the scheme or food safety officer.
Your comments will be reviewed and may be edited. Once the comments have been agreed, they will appear on the FSA website with your FHRS rating.
See FHRS – right to reply request form (google doc)
View further information about FHRS for businesses including safeguards such as appeals, right to reply and re-inspections.