Regulators, inspections and ratings

The regulator is different across the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In Scotland, it is Food Standards Scotland (FSS). FSS is a separate body. It is not part of the FSA.

Local authorities enforce food law in England, Wales and Scotland. District councils do so in Northern Ireland. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and Food Safety Officers visit food businesses. They check how food is handled, the condition of the premises and the food safety records. They may ask what you do. Answer honestly and show them how you work. Inspections often happen without warning. If an officer arrives, tell your manager straight away and carry on working safely. Do not hide anything or change what you are doing.

Officers can act when they find a problem. A Hygiene Improvement Notice tells the business what to put right and by when. A Remedial Action Notice can stop a process or the use of equipment until a problem is fixed. Officers can also seize or detain food. A business can also be prosecuted, and serious cases can lead to fines or prison.

If there is an imminent risk to health, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice stops the business or the activity straight away. A court then decides whether to make a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order. After a conviction, a court can make a Hygiene Prohibition Order. This can ban a process, the use of premises or a person.

Ratings tell the public what inspectors found. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) gives a rating from 0 to 5, where 5 is the best. It looks at how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises and how well the business manages food safety. Ratings are published online, so customers can check them. Displaying the rating is voluntary in England. It has been mandatory in Wales since 28 November 2013 and in Northern Ireland since 7 October 2016. In Wales, takeaways must also carry a bilingual statement about the rating on promotional material.

In Scotland, the Food Hygiene Information Scheme gives a result of Pass or Improvement Required. Display is voluntary.

A rating is about hygiene, not about how good the food tastes. One careless habit on the day of an inspection can affect the whole team.