What is the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is run by the Food Standards Agency with local councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own scheme. When a council’s food safety officers inspect a food business, it’s given a rating from 0 to 5.
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 | Hygiene standards are very good |
| 4 | Hygiene standards are good |
| 3 | Hygiene standards are generally satisfactory |
| 2 | Some improvement is necessary |
| 1 | Major improvement is necessary |
| 0 | Urgent improvement is required |
What inspectors look at
The rating reflects what the officer finds on the day of inspection, across three areas:
- How food is handled: storage, preparation, cooking, cooling and reheating.
- The condition of the premises: cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and pest control.
- How food safety is managed: the procedures and records a business keeps to make sure food is safe.
It’s a hygiene rating, not a rating of how good the food tastes or the quality of service. How often a business is inspected depends on the council’s assessment of its risk, so some are visited more often than others.
How mobile caterers are rated
Food trucks, vans and trailers are food businesses like any other. They must register with a local council, usually the council for the area where the vehicle is normally kept. That council is responsible for inspecting them and giving their rating, even if the business trades all over the region.
So a caterer based in one county will still show the rating from their home council when they cook at your event elsewhere. When you look them up, search under the business name rather than the place of your event.
How to check a rating
Ratings are public. Go to the Food Standards Agency’s food hygiene ratings website, and search by business name and location. You’ll see the rating and the date of the last inspection.
A few things to bear in mind:
- New businesses may show “awaiting inspection” until the council visits.
- Trading names and registered names sometimes differ, so ask the caterer what to search for.
- A rating is a snapshot of the inspection day. A business can ask for a re-inspection after making improvements.
Do caterers have to display their rating?
In England, displaying the rating sticker isn’t a legal requirement, though businesses are encouraged to show it. In Wales and Northern Ireland, display is mandatory. Many mobile caterers in England show their sticker on the vehicle or share their rating when asked.
What to ask a caterer
- Which council are you registered with?
- What name should I search for on the ratings site?
- How do you manage food safety at outdoor events, such as keeping food hot or cold?
- Can you give allergen information for every dish?
Event organisers often ask for this as part of a trader’s documents. See our guide for festival organisers, and the wider list of questions to ask a Mexican caterer.
Beyond the rating
A rating is a useful check, but it isn’t the whole picture. Good caterers also keep food safety records, train their staff, and can explain how they handle allergens. Read allergens at events for more on that side.
If you’d like to know our registration details, just ask us. Contact us for a quote and tell us about your event.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.