Food hygiene rating

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

The aim of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is to provide information on hygiene standards to consumers in circumstances where they are making a choice about eating or purchasing food.

Certain businesses that supply food directly to consumers are, however, not given a rating because specific circumstances apply.

Exempt businesses include:

  • low-risk establishments, such as newsagents, chemists shops (pre-packed confectionary or health foods only)
  • businesses where food activity is only a small element of the food business
  • certain establishments operating from private addresses (mainly childminders but also other caring services).

Businesses within the scope of the FHRS include:

  • restaurants 
  • cafes
  • takeaways
  • sandwich shops
  • food retailers
  • schools, nurseries and residential care homes
  • cash and carry or wholesalers (where food is also supplied direct to consumers)
  • other places (where people eat food prepared outside of the home).