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?
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
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
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
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
Information for businesses
Find out further information in our factsheets, or visit the Food Standards Agency.
Our factsheets can be found below.