What are Food Hygiene Ratings and how to get a high score?

A business’s food hygiene rating is a score given to it which evaluates how well it adheres to food safety laws and advisories. The given grades can range from 5 (very good) to 0 (urgent improvement is necessary). It is important to note that this score encompasses all facets of the food hygiene process from the implementation of food safety management systems to the adequate training of staff. Thus, a poor score can still be given to businesses which stick to their kitchen hygiene rules if, for example, their paperwork is in disarray.

The rating does not measure food quality or evaluate the quality of any services provided. It is not an evaluation of your business but of your businesses ability to adhere to food safety procedures.

A business’s food hygiene rating is calculated by an environmental health officer who, acting on behalf of the local authorities, evaluates a business via an inspection. These inspection days occur between every six months and two years, with the health officer often turning up at a business unannounced.

Generally, it is only high-risk businesses – those that have just opened, have a previous low hygiene rating, or have been complained about - which will experience inspections every six months. Typically, those businesses that have high previous food hygiene ratings and are thus identified as low risk businesses, will only experience inspections every two years or so.

Whilst shoddy food hygiene practices, and thus a low food hygiene rating, does not guarantee a business’s instant closure, the Environmental Health Organization (EHO) reserves the right to enforce a closure if they believe continued trading puts consumers at risk. Once the issues which lead to poor hygiene practices have been addressed the EHO will allow the business to reopen.

Food hygiene ratings have been shown to dramatically influence how consumers react with food businesses, with research by NFU Mutual demonstrating that 81% of customers would turn away from a business with a food hygiene rating of 2 or lower, and 34% from a business with 3 or lower. A loss of custom is compounded by the rating’s influence on pricing, the same study demonstrated that customers are willing to pay nearly the double amount of money per meal in a five-star food hygiene rated establishment, as opposed to a three star.

Unfortunately, a poor food hygiene rating can also develop a damaging reputation for your business with the majority of consumers assuming poor hygiene ratings have resulted from a dirty workspace, bacteria, and pests. This means your business could get an unwarranted reputation as being unclean if other processes, such as food hygiene paperwork, is not performed adequately.

The food hygiene rating sticker, which displays your business’s score on the premises, is becoming an ever more ubiquitous sight in the hospitality windows across the nation. However, it is only a legal requirement with Wales and Northern Ireland. In England displaying your food hygiene rating is not a legal requirement but is highly encouraged, whilst in Scotland a different system, the Food Hygiene Information Scheme, is used.

Food hygiene ratings can also be displayed online.

A research project commissioned by the UK government found that a third of businesses who display rating reported positive impact.

In order to maximize your food hygiene rating it is vital to focus on three areas: the condition of your building/premises, the correct handling, storing, and preparation of food, and how the administrative dimension such as how records are kept, cleaning rotas are put in place, and staff are trained. Furthermore, a hygiene checklist is advised so you can perform in house inspections and thus identify any food hygiene standards that you may be failing.

Fortunately, recording and maintaining perfect hygiene records is easily achievable with Leafe, as all the legally required hygiene records and HACCP paperwork is available from your device, and accessible from anywhere at any time. Furthermore, onboarding sessions and continued support for users of the app ensures that all staff, whether experienced with food hygiene compliance or not, can be trained efficiently and effectively.