Can a food safety officer walk into your restaurant without an appointment? Yes, and the hygiene rating they leave goes on a public register. It is scored from 0 to 5 on three things: how food is handled, the condition of the premises, and how well management keeps food safe. In the Food Standards Agency's latest survey, 55% of people had checked a rating in the previous 12 months, and about two thirds of those who knew the scheme would generally expect at least a 4. To reach a 5, keep a diary based on HACCP principles (the Safer Food Better Business pack is one), with trained staff and written allergen information. If you think the rating is wrong, appeal in writing within 21 days of being notified; if it is fair, accept it, make the improvements and request a re-rating. Display is legally required at or near each customer entrance in Wales and Northern Ireland, and voluntary in England. A summary of public law and official guidance, not legal advice.
What the film covers
- The inspection nobody booked
- Why a 3 is read by more guests than owners expect
- How the food hygiene rating works
- The 0 to 5 scale
- The three elements an officer scores
- When you are told, when it goes online and how often you are inspected
- What a food hygiene inspection checks, element by element
- Element one: how food is handled
Questions the film answers
- How do I get a 5 food hygiene rating?
Do well in all three elements the officer scores: food handling, the physical condition of the premises, and management of food safety. In practice that means a HACCP-based diary such as the Safer Food Better Business pack, filled in daily, trained staff, a clean and pest-free kitchen, and written allergen information. GOV.UK says all businesses should be able to achieve a 5.
- Do I have to display my food hygiene rating?
It depends on the country. In Wales and Northern Ireland the law requires display at or near each customer entrance. In England it is voluntary. Fixed penalties apply in Wales (£200, or £150 if paid within 14 days); in Northern Ireland the amount is set by order.
- How much does a food hygiene re-rating request cost, and can the score go down?
Councils set their own fee. Cited examples are East Devon £142.80, Charnwood £190 and Gwynedd £210. Wales and Northern Ireland charge in every council. The officer looks at standards generally, so the rating could go up, down or stay the same. Request one only when the whole kitchen is ready.
- How long do I have to appeal a food hygiene rating?
You must appeal in writing within 21 days of being notified, weekends and public holidays included. The result follows within 21 days of the council receiving the appeal. While it is pending, the register shows the business as awaiting publication. A separate right to reply has no deadline before the next inspection.
- When do I register a food business, and what does it cost?
Register with your local authority at least 28 days before you start trading, whether the business is new or taken over. GOV.UK says registration is free and can't be refused. Register early, then have the HACCP diary and allergen information ready before the first service.
- Do my staff need a food hygiene certificate?
A certificate is not compulsory under GOV.UK guidance, but handlers must be supervised and instructed or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work. You must be able to show adequate training. Online Level 2 courses cited here cost from £10 + VAT to £16.00 + VAT a learner.