What Do Food Hygiene Ratings Mean?
England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), with ratings from 0 to 5. Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS), with results such as Pass and Improvement Required. Published results describe hygiene standards at the time of inspection.
Ratings 0–5: England, Wales and Northern Ireland
The scale runs from urgent improvement at 0 to very good hygiene standards at 5. It assesses hygiene, rather than food quality, customer service or culinary skill.
Rating 5 — Very Good
The rating indicates very good standards at the time of inspection.
Rating 4 — Good
The rating indicates good standards at the time of inspection.
Rating 3 — Generally Satisfactory
The rating indicates generally satisfactory standards at the time of inspection.
Rating 2 — Improvement Necessary
The rating indicates improvement was necessary at the time of inspection.
Rating 1 — Major Improvement Necessary
The rating indicates major improvement was necessary at the time of inspection.
Rating 0 — Urgent Improvement Necessary
The rating indicates urgent improvement was necessary at the time of inspection.
Scottish Food Hygiene Information Scheme results
Scottish local authorities publish FHIS results. These use different categories from the FHRS 0–5 scale; a Pass has no equivalent numeric rating.
Pass
The business met the legal hygiene requirements when inspected.
Improvement Required
The inspection found that the business needed changes to meet the legal hygiene requirements.
Awaiting Inspection
A new business, or one with a new owner, has not yet received an inspection result.
Exempt Premises
A low-risk premises was inspected and met the Pass criteria, but falls outside the scheme’s rating categories.
The separate Eat Safe Award recognises standards above the legal minimum. It runs alongside FHIS. Read the Food Standards Scotland consumer guide for the official scheme definitions.
Pending and exempt records
Awaiting Inspection means an inspection result is pending. An exemption means the business is outside the scheme’s rating categories; FHRS exemptions include certain low-risk businesses and home care services. Neither status is a rating of 0. If a result is missing or you need clarification, contact the inspecting local authority.
What Do Inspectors Check?
For the FHRS 0–5 rating, inspectors assess the three areas below. A business must do well in all three to receive the top rating. The individual inspection scores use a different scale from the public rating: lower inspection scores indicate fewer issues.
Hygiene
How hygienically food is handled · Scored 0–25
- Preparation, cooking, reheating, and cooling practices
- Temperature control and monitoring
- Cross-contamination prevention (raw vs ready-to-eat)
- Personal hygiene of food handlers
- Food storage and date labelling
Structural
The condition of the building · Scored 0–25
- Cleanliness of premises and equipment
- Building condition, layout, and lighting
- Ventilation and waste disposal
- Pest control measures
- Handwashing and sanitary facilities
Confidence in Management
How the business manages food safety · Scored 0–30
- Food safety management system (SFBB/HACCP)
- Staff training and supervision
- Written procedures and record keeping
- Track record and willingness to comply
- Ability to maintain standards over time
Check Any Business
Search by postcode or business name to find published hygiene results.
Search RatingsNumeric rating guidance is based on the Food Standards Agency’s FHRS consumer guide for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish results follow Food Standards Scotland’s FHIS guidance linked above.