Food Business Hygiene Ratings
South Gloucestershire Council has joined the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme which tells consumers about the hygiene standards of food premises to help them choose where to eat or shop for food.
It was developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in conjunction with local authorities.
Food outlets, such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs, are inspected by our Food Safety Officers to check that their hygiene standards meet legal requirements.
The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary) to 5 (Very Good) following an unannounced food hygiene inspection.
You can check the ratings of a food premises on the Food Standards Agency website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.
All food businesses are encouraged to display a certificate and window sticker - making it easier for the public to see how each food business is complying with the law.
For more information visit the website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and view this leaflet http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/enforcement/fhrsconsumerguide.pdf
Information for Food Businesses
During inspections, the officer checks how well the business is meeting the law by looking at:
• how hygienically the food is handled - how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored, and how well staff are trained
• the condition of the structure of the buildings - the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities, and
• how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe.
The officer will explain to the person who owns or manages the business what improvements are needed and how they can achieve the top rating of ‘5'. Any business should be able to reach this top rating.
What the ratings mean
0 - Urgent improvement necessary
1 - Major improvement necessary
2 - Improvement necessary
3 - Generally satisfactory
4 - Good
5 - Very good
All ratings will be sent to the food business operator within 14 days of inspection.
Appeals
Appeals can be made to the Lead Officer for Food within 14 days from notification of the rating (this includes bank holidays and weekends).
Appeals must be submitted on the Appeals Application Form available from “Frequently Asked Questions” on the FSA website at this link www.food.gov.uk/ratings and the rating will not appear on the national website until the appeal is determined.
Appeals will be determined within 7 days after the appeal was lodged and the rating will then be published on the national website.
Changing the Rating
If all the work required by the inspecting officer has been completed following the initial food hygiene inspection, there is a right to request a visit to re-rate the business.
Only one request for a re-rating can be made any time after the initial routine inspection.
Details of the improvements must be made on the request form available from “Frequently Asked Questions” on the FSA website at this link www.food.gov.uk/ratings including supporting evidence e.g. photographs.
No action will be taken for three months following the initial inspection and the officer has a further three months after this period to revisit. This visit will be unannounced.
A new rating may be given based on the level of compliance found during the re-visit. The rating could go up or down or remain the same.
Right to Reply
The food business operator may make comments on the rating given; these comments may be displayed on the website giving the reasons for the rating. Comments must be made on the request form available from “Frequently Asked Questions” on the FSA website at this link www.food.gov.uk/ratings. They will be viewed by Food Safety Officers first in order to be approved before being uploaded to the website.
For more information visit the website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and view this leaflet http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/enforcement/fhrsbusinessguide.pdf
For further information please contact:
Health, Safety and Food Team,South Gloucestershire Council, P O Box 2078, Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 9BJ
Tel: 01454 868001
Fax: 01454 868535
Foodandhealth@southglos.gov.uk
Visit www.food.gov.uk/ratings