We have the right to enter and inspect food premises at any time without making an appointment or giving notice.

We check how well your food business is meeting standards by looking at:

• how hygienically the food is handled (how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored)
• the condition of the structure of the buildings (the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities)
• how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe

Find out more about food inspections at GOV.UK.

Appeals

If you think a rating is unfair or wrong you can appeal against it or ask for your business to be reassessed.

First talk to the food safety officer who inspected your business about why the rating was given.

If you then wish to appeal, complete and return the appeal form.

Food hygiene rating appeal form (PDF, 92KB)

Right to reply

You can let us know us how your food business has improved its hygiene, or tell us if there were unusual circumstances at the time of the inspection by completing and returning the food hygiene right to reply form.

Food hygiene right to reply form (PDF, 211KB)

Request a revisit

After improving hygiene standards, you can request a revisit to inspect your food business before the next planned inspection. Simply complete and return the food hygiene revisit form.

Speaking with us again is a good way to find out if you can get a new and higher food hygiene rating.

Food hygiene revisit form (PDF, 99KB)