The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland operates its own scheme called the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS). Both give businesses a rating based on their food hygiene standards.
How the rating scale works
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 — Very Good | Excellent food hygiene standards — what every business should aim for |
| 4 — Good | Good standards — minor improvements needed |
| 3 — Generally Satisfactory | Some non-compliance found — improvement required |
| 2 — Improvement Necessary | Significant non-compliance — major improvements needed |
| 1 — Major Improvement Necessary | Serious non-compliance — urgent action required |
| 0 — Urgent Improvement Necessary | Critical non-compliance — immediate action required |
Displaying your rating
In Wales and Northern Ireland, displaying your FHRS sticker is a legal requirement. In England, display is voluntary but strongly recommended — customers actively look for ratings when choosing where to eat.
How ratings are calculated
EHOs score three areas during an inspection (see The Three Assessment Areas for a detailed breakdown):
- Hygienic food handling
- Cleanliness and condition of premises
- Food safety management (HACCP, records, training)
Each area is scored separately. The lowest score has the biggest impact on your overall rating — so a weak area drags everything down.
Checking your current rating
You can look up your business on the FSA ratings website to see your current published rating. This is also how Spotless Score finds your business during onboarding.
How often are businesses inspected?
Inspection frequency depends on risk:
- High risk (ratings 0–2): every 6 months
- Medium risk (rating 3): every 12–18 months
- Low risk (ratings 4–5): every 2 years or more
The EHO may visit more frequently if there are complaints, food poisoning outbreaks, or changes to the business.
Scotland: FHIS
Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) instead of FHRS. Ratings are either Pass or Improvement Required (no numeric score). The standards inspectors check are very similar, but the simpler rating scale means fewer gradations.