What do the different Food Hygiene Ratings mean?

Posted 6 years ago

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or dining out with friends, food hygiene is something we all rely on without giving it much thought. Behind the scenes, food businesses are regularly inspected to make sure they’re handling food safely and keeping their premises clean. But how can you, as a customer, know which places meet those standards?

That’s where the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme comes in. Run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the scheme gives food businesses a rating from 0 to 5 based on how well they meet hygiene and food safety requirements.

In this guide, we’ll explain how the scheme works, what each rating means, and what goes on during an inspection. We’ll also answer common questions about how often inspections happen, what happens after a poor rating, and how businesses can improve their score.

What is the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a government initiative run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its goal is simple – to make sure that any food sold to the public is being stored, prepared, and served in safe, hygienic conditions.

It covers most businesses that serve or sell food to the public, including cafés, restaurants, pubs, takeaways, and even your local corner shop. During inspections, food safety officers assess how well a business is meeting legal hygiene standards and assign a rating from 0 to 5, based on what they find.

In Scotland, there’s a similar initiative called the Food Hygiene Information Scheme, which works in much the same way but uses slightly different terms.

The different food hygiene ratings explained

There are lots of variables that create the deciding factor of a Food Hygiene Rating, and the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme gives you a quick snapshot of how well a food business is doing when it comes to hygiene. Each business gets a rating from 0 to 5 based on an inspection, so you can see exactly how safe your food is before you order or walk through the door. Let’s break down what each rating really means:

Food Hygiene Rating 0 – Urgent Improvement Necessary

A rating of 0 is the lowest possible score – and it’s a sign that there are serious issues that need fixing straight away. This could be down to unsafe food storage, poor cleanliness, or a lack of proper food safety training.

When a business gets a 0, it usually results in enforcement action, such as improvement notices or, in more severe cases, a temporary closure.

Food Hygiene Rating 1 – Major Improvement Necessary

A rating of 1 means that while the business might not be posing an immediate danger, there are significant problems that can’t be ignored. This could involve poor handling of food, dirty equipment, or gaps in training.

It’s a clear signal that changes need to be made quickly.

Food Hygiene Rating 2 – Improvement Necessary

This rating suggests there’s room for improvement, but nothing that poses a serious risk. Maybe the business has minor cleanliness issues, or food safety processes aren’t being followed consistently.

It’s not the worst-case scenario, but it does mean there’s work to do.

Food Hygiene Rating 3 – Generally Satisfactory

A 3 is considered acceptable. The business is meeting the basic requirements, but there may be a few areas that need tightening up, such as documentation, staff training, or cleaning routines.

For many businesses, a 3 is the starting point for aiming higher.

Food Hygiene Rating 4 – Good

A 4 shows that a business is doing well and has solid hygiene practices in place. Food is being handled safely, the premises are clean, and there are strong processes behind the scenes.

This is a reassuring score and one that many businesses are proud to display.

Food Hygiene Rating 5 – Very Good

This is the gold standard. A 5 rating means that a business is doing everything right when it comes to food hygiene, from spotless kitchens to robust food safety management and well-trained staff.

In 2023, 96.8% of food businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland achieved a rating of 3 or above, showing that the vast majority are maintaining good standards.

What to expect from food hygiene inspections

Food hygiene inspections are usually carried out without any prior warning, so it’s important that food businesses maintain high standards at all times. The only exceptions are typically for new businesses awaiting their first inspection, or in some cases, where a follow-up visit is being arranged.

Inspections are carried out by food safety officers from your local authority. Their role is to assess how well a business is complying with food hygiene law and to make sure that food served to the public is safe to eat.

During an inspection, the officer will focus on three key areas:

Food handling – This includes how food is prepared, cooked, cooled, reheated, and stored. They’ll be checking whether food is handled in a way that prevents contamination and maintains safety.
Cleanliness and condition of the premises – The officer will look at the layout, ventilation, lighting, cleanliness, and overall maintenance of the premises. Good hygiene starts with a clean and well maintained environment.
Food safety management – This involves reviewing the systems in place to manage food safety, including documentation, staff training, and procedures for keeping food safe.

Each area is assessed and contributes to the overall food hygiene rating, which ranges from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). The rating reflects the standards found on the day of the inspection, and it’s designed to give the public confidence in the food businesses they choose to support.

What are the implications of a poor food hygiene rating?

A poor hygiene rating can have a big impact, not just in terms of reputation, but also business operations.

Many customers will simply choose to eat elsewhere if they see a low score, especially when other options are close by. And with review platforms and food delivery apps displaying hygiene ratings too, a bad score can hurt online visibility and bookings.

In more serious cases, a poor rating could lead to:

Follow-up inspections to check whether necessary improvements have been made
Improvement notices, which require specific problems to be addressed within a set timeframe
Fines or prosecution if serious breaches of food safety law are identified
Temporary or permanent closure of the premises in extreme cases where there’s an immediate risk to public health

There can also be knock-on effects online. Many delivery platforms, review websites, and booking apps display food hygiene ratings alongside listings. A low score can lead to fewer orders, negative reviews, or even removal from certain platforms entirely.

Maintaining a strong food hygiene rating isn’t just about compliance, it’s a key part of building customer trust and running a successful food business.

Frequently asked questions

Can your food hygiene rating change?
Yes – ratings can go up or down, depending on inspection results. If you’ve taken steps to improve after a low rating, you can request a revisit. Likewise, if standards slip, your rating may drop during the next inspection.

Do I have to display my rating?
In Wales and Northern Ireland, yes – it’s a legal requirement. In England, it’s optional, but strongly encouraged. Displaying your rating helps build trust with customers, and not displaying it could raise questions.

How do I get a replacement rating sticker?
If you lose or damage your sticker, you can request a new one from your local authority. Their environmental health department will be able to help.

Who gives out food hygiene ratings?
Trained environmental health officers from your local council carry out inspections on behalf of the FSA. They follow set criteria and guidance to make sure ratings are fair and consistent.

Who needs a food hygiene rating?
Any business that handles food for public sale – including:

Restaurants, cafés and takeaways
Food trucks and mobile caterers
Butchers, delis and supermarkets
School kitchens, nurseries and care homes
Home-based food businesses like bakers or meal prep companies

How often are inspections carried out?
It depends on the type of business and its risk level. Higher-risk businesses are inspected more often – usually every 6 months to 2 years. Lower-risk ones may be inspected less frequently. If there are concerns, extra inspections can be carried out.

Can I appeal my rating?
Yes. If you think your rating is unfair, you have options:

Request another inspection once improvements are made
Submit a ‘right to reply’ to explain your side of the story, which is published alongside your rating
Appeal formally with supporting evidence for an independent review

Does the rating reflect food quality?
No – the rating is purely about hygiene and safety. It doesn’t tell you how the food tastes, only how safely and hygienically it’s been prepared.

Work towards a 5-star rating with our food hygiene training

There is plenty of guidance on the FSA’s website to help you work towards a rating of 5. However, organisations must take action on certain elements of their storage and preparation processes, making it certain that staff know best practice on subjects like infection prevention, food safety, and allergy awareness.

We created a Food Hygiene Course Bundle to collate all of the courses that staff should take if they’re involved in food preparation or the storage and handling of food. These courses include:

Once the courses have been completed, they provide all staff members with a printable certificate so that they can show due diligence to current legislation surrounding food safety.

Claim your no-obligation free trial to any of our courses today!