Food hygiene Rating

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) focuses on three important areas of each food-related business and its operations:

Hygiene – How is the food hygienically handled? How the food is prepared, cooked, ways in which it is then reheated, refrigerated and eventually stored.

Structural – The shape of the buildings in which the business operates, the cleanliness, layout and lighting, the effectiveness of the ventilation and other facilities.

Management – How the business manages and records its procedures to make sure food is safe.

The scheme rates businesses’ hygiene standards from 5 to 0 stars (from very good to urgent improvement needed) and records it on a certificate and window sticker, which is displayed at their premises and online so customers can make informed decisions about where to purchase or eat food. Generally, if a 0-star rating is granted, premises may be shut down for the duration of the cleanup operation.

A food safety officer is sent from the Local Council to inspect businesses and ensure that they follow food hygiene law so that the food is safe to eat.

Exemptions

There are types of businesses which are inspected by the local Council food safety officer but are not given a food hygiene rating:

– Any business which is not a high risk to public health – for example, newsagents, chemist shops or visitors sites which sell pre-sealed goods not prepared at the premises and that do not need to be refrigerated.

– Childminders and any other business that offers caring services at home

To get the best rating, businesses must perform well in all of three elements inspected by the safety officer. The officer will explain to the business the necessary actions, if any, they must take to improve their hygiene rating and crucially the time frame in which they need to be achieved.

If you’re looking for more training when it comes to food hygiene, why not contact us today?