Food hygiene ratings

Which businesses get a rating?

All food businesses will receive a rating when they have their next routine inspection. The scheme includes:

• restaurants
• takeaways
• shops
• pubs
• cafes
• mobiles
• home caterers
• hotels and residential accommodation
• supermarkets

There are about 800 businesses in the scheme.

Are any businesses not part of the scheme?

Low risk food businesses, such as newsagents that are not inspected, and some food businesses operating from home, such as childminders, will not be included in the scheme.

Manufacturers and distribution centres who do not directly supply the public are currently excluded.

I do not agree with the rating given to my business. What can I do?

Business operators have three options if they are not happy with their rating or if they wish to make a comments.

• right to reply form

This form can be used to describe improvements that have been made since the rating was awarded or to explain mitigation for circumstances at the time of inspection. Replies posted to the website by businesses will be checked before they are displayed.

• appeal form

Use this form to appeal against your rating if you think that the rating does not reflect the standards found at the time of inspection. You have 21 days to appeal.

• revisit form

Use this form to request a revisit to be re-rated if your business has taken action to put right non-compliances identified at the time of inspection. There is a charge of £215 for this. Submit this form and call the food and safety team on the number below to make payment using a credit or debit card. Alternatively you can apply and pay online.

Are the ratings displayed on the food premises?

Following the programmed inspection a window sticker is sent to the business showing their rating. This is for them to display in their premises, but this is not compulsory.

How often will the website be updated?

A businesses' latest rating will appear on the Food Standards Agency website 36 days after the inspection date where a score of 0 to 4 is awarded. For businesses achieving the top rating of 5, ratings will be published 14 days after the inspection date.

Early publication of rating form

Use this form to request that the rating is published before the 36 days.