How Can a Business Improve Its Food Hygiene Rating?

If your food business has received a lower-than-expected food hygiene rating, the good news is that you can take concrete steps to improve it. Many businesses go from a rating of 1 or 2 to a 5 within a single inspection cycle. Here is how.

Understand Your Inspection Report

Your inspection letter will detail exactly what the inspector found and what scores you received in each of the three areas: hygienic food handling, structural compliance, and confidence in management. Read it carefully. The specific issues listed are your roadmap to a better rating.

If you are not sure what certain comments mean, contact your local authority's environmental health department. They are usually happy to provide guidance and clarification.

Focus on the Three Scoring Areas

1. Hygienic Food Handling (Score 0–25)

• Ensure proper separation of raw and cooked foods in storage and preparation.
• Maintain correct temperatures: hot food above 63°C, cold food below 8°C (aim for 5°C).
• Use colour-coded chopping boards and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.
• Follow proper handwashing procedures – soap, warm water, and paper towels at all hand basins.
• Ensure food is cooked to the correct core temperature, especially poultry (75°C).

2. Structural Compliance (Score 0–25)

• Keep all surfaces clean and in good repair – no peeling paint, broken tiles, or damaged work surfaces.
• Ensure adequate ventilation and lighting in food preparation areas.
• Maintain effective pest control measures and check for signs of pests regularly.
• Provide adequate waste disposal facilities with lidded bins.
• Ensure hot and cold running water is available at all wash basins.

3. Confidence in Management (Score 0–30)

• Implement a documented food safety management system based on HACCP principles. The FSA's "Safer Food, Better Business" pack is free and designed specifically for smaller businesses.
• Keep daily temperature records for fridges, freezers, and cooking processes.
• Maintain records of staff food hygiene training.
• Have an allergen management system with written records available to customers.
• Keep records of cleaning schedules and supplier traceability.

The management score often makes the biggest difference. Many businesses lose points here simply because they lack documentation, even when their actual practices are good.

Request a Re-Rating Visit

Once you have made improvements, you can apply to your local authority for a re-rating visit. There is usually a fee (around £150–£200, depending on the authority). The inspector will carry out a full inspection and issue a new rating based on what they find at the time of the visit.

Important: do not request a re-visit until you are confident you have addressed all the issues raised. A re-visit that results in the same or a lower rating wastes money and time.

Common Quick Wins

1. Start keeping temperature logs today – this is the single most common failing and the easiest to fix.
2. Deep clean the kitchen – behind equipment, under shelves, extraction fans.
3. Download "Safer Food, Better Business" – fill it in and keep it up to date.
4. Train all staff in basic food hygiene – Level 2 courses are available online and take a few hours.
5. Fix structural issues – replace damaged seals, repair broken tiles, fix dripping taps.

You can see which businesses have made the biggest improvements on our most improved rankings. With the right focus, a significant improvement at your next inspection is entirely achievable.