Food, Drink & Hospitality Food, hospitality and tourism UK-wide

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

Understand the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme and display your rating.

Guide summary

You must display your food hygiene rating sticker in a visible place. In Wales and Northern Ireland this is the law. Your rating from 0 to 5 is based on an inspection of your food handling, cleanliness, and safety checks.

  • Display your FHRS sticker prominently, it's the law in Wales and NI
  • Rating 5 is very good, rating 0 means urgent improvement needed
  • Get your rating in writing within 14 days of inspection
  • You have 21 days to appeal if you think your rating is wrong
  • Request a re-rating visit if you've made hygiene improvements
  • Complete all recommended hygiene improvements before re-rating
  • In England free re-rating has a 3-month wait, paid service is faster
  • Fees for re-rating: Wales £219-£255, NI £150, varies in England
  • Inspectors look at food handling, cleanliness, and management systems
  • High risk businesses inspected every 6 months, low risk every 3 years
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The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) gives food businesses a rating based on Environmental Health Officer inspections. Your rating affects customer confidence and, in some nations, must be displayed by law.

What inspectors assess

During an inspection, Environmental Health Officers evaluate three main areas:

  • Hygienic food handling: Preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage
  • Cleanliness and condition: Cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and facilities
  • Management of food safety: System or checks to ensure food is safe, staff training

Each area is scored and combined to produce your overall rating. Inspectors will also check your HACCP or SFBB documentation and training records.

  1. 1

    Display your rating

    Display your FHRS sticker prominently (mandatory in Wales/NI).

  2. 2

    Check your rating online

    You receive written notification of your rating within 14 days of inspection; the rating is published on the FSA website typically within 28 days.

  3. 3

    Request re-inspection

    If you've made improvements, you can request a re-rating visit.

  4. 4

    Appeal if incorrect

    You have 21 days to appeal the rating if you believe it is incorrect.