Food establishments

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) helps consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them clear information about a food business' hygiene standards. We deliver the scheme in partnership with the Food Standards Agency.

The hygiene standards found at the time of inspection are rated on a scale from '5 - very good' to '0 - urgent improvement is necessary'. To get the top rating, a business must do well in each of the following three elements:

• food hygiene and safety procedures
• structural requirements
• confidence in management and control procedures

All businesses should be able to achieve the top rating of 5. Following a food hygiene inspection the rating is published on the Food hygiene ratings website

To ensure that the scheme is fair to businesses, a business can:

• appeal a food hygiene rating
• have a right to reply to tell customers about improvements or unusual circumstances  
• request a re-rating inspection