Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) by Food Standards Agency (FSA)

Overview of the FHRS

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), along with local authorities, manages the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Food Hygiene Information Scheme in Scotland.

Purpose of the Schemes

The schemes provide consumers with information on hygiene standards at various food establishments such as restaurants, cafés, takeaways, hotels, and food stores. They aim to:

• Help consumers make informed choices about where to eat or shop based on hygiene ratings.
• Encourage businesses to improve their hygiene standards to reduce food-borne illnesses.

Accessing Hygiene Ratings

Consumers can check hygiene ratings for specific food businesses by visiting food.gov.uk/ratings.

Implementation and Coverage

The FSA collaborates with local authorities to expand the scheme’s coverage:

• Currently operational in all areas of Wales and 96% of areas in England and Northern Ireland.
• Local authorities decide whether to participate, with increasing participation nationwide.

Understanding Hygiene Ratings

Hygiene ratings offer insights into the cleanliness and food safety practices behind the scenes:

• They help consumers assess standards beyond outward appearances.
• Use ratings to choose establishments with higher hygiene standards and share this information with others.

Types of Establishments Rated

Food hygiene ratings are assigned to:

• Restaurants, takeaways, cafés, sandwich shops, pubs, and hotels.
• Schools, hospitals, residential care homes, supermarkets, bakeries, and delicatessens.

Some low-risk establishments like newsagents selling only wrapped sweets may be exempt from the scheme.

Childminders and home-based care services are not included in the rating scheme.