Food hygiene ratings for anywhere you eat or shop

Who carries out inspections?

Your local council's food safety officers, working alongside the Food Standards Agency, not the business itself.

How often is a place inspected?

Anywhere from every six months for the highest-risk businesses to every two years or more for lower-risk ones.

What does the rating cover?

How food is handled and stored, the condition of the premises, and how well food safety is managed. Taste, service and prices aren't part of it.

Does a missing sticker mean a bad rating?

Not necessarily. Displaying the rating is compulsory in Wales and Northern Ireland but voluntary in England, so it's always worth a check online.

Why are some ratings published weeks later?

A rating of 5 goes live straight away. Scores of 0 to 4 appear a few weeks later, giving the business time to appeal first.

Can a business challenge its rating?

Yes. It can reply publicly, appeal within 21 days if the rating looks wrong, 14 days in Scotland, and ask for a re-inspection once it's made improvements.