Frequently Asked Questions

The FHRS is run by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency. Food businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that fall within the scheme can receive a rating from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). The rating reflects hygienic food handling, the condition of the premises and facilities, and how food safety is managed.

Our rating data comes from the FSA's official API. HygieneFix refreshes its service data regularly, but the FSA record remains authoritative and there can be a delay between an inspection and publication of a new rating. If anything looks wrong, verify it with the FSA or the local authority responsible for the business.

A rating of 2 means "Improvement Necessary." It indicates that the standards found at the rating inspection need improvement. It is not itself a closure notice, but the business should address the issues identified by the local authority and maintain evidence that improvements are embedded in day-to-day operation.

Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS), which uses outcomes such as Pass and Improvement Required rather than the 0–5 FHRS scale. HygieneFix currently focuses on England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish businesses should use Food Standards Scotland and their local authority for official guidance.

Yes. Under the FHRS safeguards, a business can request a re-rating inspection after making the necessary improvements. Charging arrangements vary: Wales and Northern Ireland charge for requested re-ratings under their statutory schemes, while in England some local authorities recover their costs. Check the current fee and application process with the local authority responsible for your rating.

The FHRS rating is based on three broad areas: hygienic food handling, the condition and cleanliness of the premises and facilities, and confidence in food safety management. Officers may also take whatever action is needed to assess compliance with food law, depending on the business and the risks involved.

There is no single inspection interval determined only by the public 0–5 rating. Local authorities use risk-based intervention systems that take account of factors such as the nature of the food operation, compliance and confidence in management. Higher-risk or non-compliant businesses are generally checked more often, while lower-risk businesses may receive less frequent or different forms of intervention.

When you purchase an action plan (£49), our AI analyses the inspection information available for the establishment and its business type to produce a prioritised improvement checklist. The report is intended as a structured starting point and is delivered as a PDF to your email.

No. The final rating is determined by the local authority after assessing the business. HygieneFix provides informational guidance based on published food-safety principles and the inspection data available to us; it is not a substitute for advice from your Environmental Health team or a qualified food-safety professional.

Searching and viewing ratings is free and does not require signup. The personalised AI action plan costs £49 as a one-time payment and includes the analysis, prioritised recommendations and PDF report. There is no subscription.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, food businesses are legally required to display their current food hygiene rating sticker prominently. In England, displaying the sticker is encouraged but is not currently a legal requirement under the FHRS. Always follow the rules that apply in the jurisdiction where the premises is located.