The scheme is a local authority and Food Standards Agency partnership initiative designed to help consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food. It does this by giving them information about the hygiene standards in food premises at the time they are inspected to check compliance with legal requirements. Having a single national scheme in place will help ensure that food businesses are treated fairly and consistently with their competitors and allow consumers to make easier comparisons with different areas of the country.
The Food Hygiene Rating scheme introduces new safeguards to businesses, which include a right of appeal, a right to reply and an opportunity to request revisits where you have carried out improvements. You can find out more about these safeguards by downloading the forms on the right hand side.
Food hygiene ratings are displayed on the internet at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.
Where applicable, former star ratings have been translated to a new rating on the Food Hygiene Rating scheme. We are asking businesses previously issued with a Scores on the Doors star rating certificate to remove these.
To find out more about the scheme, visit the Food Standards Agency website or contact the Food Health Team using the details on the right.