The National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a joint Food Standards Agency and Local Authority initiative which will provide consumers with information about standards of food hygiene in catering premises such as restaurants, shops, bars, cafés, schools, hospitals and shops.
There are over 600 premises eligible for the scheme within Burnley and Padiham and all premises inspected from April 2010 will be included and have their rating published.
The ratings of these inspections are available to view at the Foods Standards Agency.
Publishing food hygiene inspection reports online will help to:
- Allow customers to make an informed choice as to where to eat or purchase food
- Improve the standards of food hygiene
- Contribute to a reduction of food borne illnesses, like food poisoning
Scores are awarded for food hygiene compliance, structural compliance and confidence in management.
Premises are not rated against the quality of the food they produce.
Assigning a score
Following an inspection of a food business, the inspecting officer assigns a numerical score to the following three areas:
- Level of compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures (e.g. food handling practices, temperature control)
- Level of compliance with structural requirements (e.g. cleanliness, condition of structure)
- Confidence in management
These scores are obtained from Annex 5 of the Food Law Code of Practice to ensure consistency between officers and different Councils. The numerical score is the ‘mapped’ to one of the six food hygiene ratings.
- 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
Should you require further information on the National food Hygiene Rating Scheme, please either contact the Council’s Food Safety Team or visit the Food Standards Agency website
Request a food safety re-visit to your business
Following inspection, should a food business operator take action to rectify non-compliances identified, a request may be made for a further visit to re-rate the business. There will be a charge for each re-visit carried out at your request.
The quickest and most efficient way is to apply online using the council website.
A revisit can be made at a cost of £150.00 (login or continue without an account before you can complete the application).
You can also apply by manually submitting an application form at a cost of £155.00. Download the ‘Revisit procedure’ where further information can be found.
Safeguards
If a business feels their rating is wrong or unfair – you have the option of making an appeal, requesting a Food Hygiene Rating revisit or the right to reply.
