Appeals and re-assessments of your hygiene rating

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme aims to be fair to businesses.

For this reason, it includes 3 safeguards:

• a re-visit procedure to re-assess for a new rating
• an appeal procedure
• a ‘right to reply’ procedure

Request a re-visit and re-assessment

You have a right to request a re-visit for the purposes of re-rating if you have taken action to rectify the non-compliances identified at the time of inspection.

You can request a re-visit at any time after the statutory inspection if you have made the required improvements. To do so, complete the request a re-assessment form (DOC, 1 page(s), 170 KB) and return it to us.

Fee

We will charge £300 for a re-visit.

Appeal a rating

Before appealing, you should contact us first to understand why the rating was given. If you still think that the rating is unfair or wrong, you can appeal in writing to us.

You have a right to appeal the food hygiene rating given following your inspection if you do not agree that the rating reflects the hygiene standards and management controls found at the time of the inspection.

You have 14 days (including weekends and bank holidays) from the date of receipt of the notification letter to make an appeal.

Complete the appeal form (doc, 1 page(s), 307 KB) and return it to us via email or post.

The lead officer for food will review your rating and will aim to tell you the outcome of your appeal within 7 days.

'Right to reply'

You have a ‘right to reply’ regarding the food hygiene rating given following our inspection.

The purpose is to enable you to:

• give an explanation of actions that you have taken to make the required improvements as detailed in the inspection letter
• explain mitigation for the circumstances at the time of the inspection

One of our food safety officers will review your comments and may edit them to remove offensive or defamatory remarks. These will then get published online along with your food hygiene rating at Food hygiene ratings – Food Safety Agency.

If you wish to use this right, please use the 'right to reply' form (doc, 1 page(s), 139 KB) and return it to us.