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Food hygiene rating scheme

How we rate food businesses, and what the ratings mean

Food ratings

All food businesses are inspected for compliance with food safety law. After an inspection the business is rated from 0 - 5.

When we score a business we look at:

  • food hygiene and safety - how food is prepared, stored, cooked, reheated and cooled
  • structure and cleaning
  • confidence in management

We do not score a business in relation to food portion size, taste or quality.

Businesses in England are not legally required to display their ratings. You, as a consumer, have to make your own decision about visiting premises who don't display their score.

What are the ratings?

Food hygiene rating logo

5 - Very good
4 - Good
3 - Satisfactory
2 - Improvement necessary
1 - Major improvement necessary
0 - Urgent improvement necessary

Check a rating

You can take a look at the ratings yourself, on the Food Standards Agency website.

Download the app

You can also now access food hygiene ratings on the move, for free by downloading the app for iPhone or android on the Food Standards Agency website.

Don't agree with your rating?

If you don't agree with your rating you can request a revisit, appeal, or use the right to reply.

Right to reply

To use your right to reply, you'll need:

  • the date of your inspection
  • the rating you were given
  • the date you were notified of your rating
  • details of the improvements that you've made since the original rating

Right to reply

Request a revisit

To request a revisit, you'll need:

  • the date of your inspection
  • the rating you were given
  • the date you were notified of your rating
  • details of the improvements that you've made since the original rating
  • pay the £248 revisit fee

Request a re-visit

Appeal your rating

To appeal your rating, you'll need:

  • the date of your inspection
  • the rating you were given
  • the date you were notified of your rating

Appeal your rating

Request an early publication

If you don't want to wait until your appeal runs out to get your rating published, you can request an early publication of a hygiene rating.

To request an early publication of a hygiene rating, you'll need:

  • the date of your inspection
  • the rating you were given
  • your reference number

Request an early publication

Information for businesses

Find out further information in our factsheets, or visit the Food Standards Agency.

Our factsheets can be found below.