WHAT DO THE STAR RATINGS ACTUALLY MEAN FROM THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

A food business can receive a score from ‘0’ to ‘5’ following a food hygiene inspection from a local authority Environmental Health Officer.

The score is intended to show the hygiene standards at the premises during the inspection.

The score, also known as a food hygiene rating, is an overall score showing how well the food business is performing on food hygiene matters. It is also intended to reflect the level of risk to peoples’ health.

Environmental Health Officers specifically inspect:

1.    How hygienically food is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored;

2.    The condition of the structure of the buildings including the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and facilities; and

3.    How food safety is managed by the business.

The scores explained

The scores are rated on a sliding scale from ‘0’ meaning that urgent improvement is required, to ‘5’ which highlights that hygiene standards are extremely good.

Any food business that scores ‘0’ is extremely likely to be scoring very poorly in all three areas inspected. It is probable that there will also be a poor food hygiene history at the premises.  Those scoring ‘5’ will be scoring highly in all three areas.

Please contact James Lowe on 01384 340594 should you wish to discuss any food safety law or food hygiene law matter further.