The FHRS (Food Hygiene Rating Scheme) is run by an increasing number of councils in partnership with the Food Standards Agency. Not all councils run this particular scheme and some run none at all. The Government have however expressed a commitment to making this scheme mandatory for all local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2012.

more » If the FHRS is operated in an area, each business is given a food hygiene rating when it is inspected by a food safety officer from the local council. This food safety score is published on a website and businesses are asked to display a certificate or sticker showing the food safety score at the entrance to the building. It is not yet compulsory to display your food safety score.

A business can be given one of these food hygiene ratings:



In Scotland, some councils have chosen to run the Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Partnership with the Food Standards Agency.

We suggest that you ask the food safety officer what your food safety score will be before they leave the site. If you feel that you have been judged unfairly and deserve a better food hygiene rating you need to act fast.

more » The food hygiene rating relates to the day of the visit so any evidence that you need should be gathered that day if possible. You can appeal within 14 days (including weekends and bank holidays) of being told what your rating is. You also have a ‘right to reply’

We liaise with local councils if our clients have been given a lower food hygiene rating than they deserve and usually achieve a favourable result.

Contact us for more advice, to arrange a food safety audit or to obtain the forms you need to appeal or give your ‘right to reply’

If you feel that the food hygiene rating you received was fair but you’d like a better one, you can ask your local council for a revisit. You can do this only once before the next planned food safety inspection.

more » You need to have carried out all the improvements that are legally required, before you can apply for a re-visit. A food safety officer will then carry out an unannounced visit between 3-6 months of the food safety inspection.

We can identify which improvements are legally required and advise you on the most cost effective solutions to achieve compliance.

Contact us for more advice, to arrange a food safety audit or to obtain the ‘revisit’ and ‘right to reply’ forms