Understanding the Food Hygiene Rating Sticker on Your Restaurant Door

You have probably seen the green and black sticker on restaurant doors and shop windows displaying a number from 0 to 5. This is the official food hygiene rating sticker issued after an inspection by the local authority. Here is everything you need to know about it.

What the Sticker Shows

The food hygiene rating sticker displays:

• The rating number (0 to 5) in large, clear text
• The rating description (e.g., "Very Good", "Good", "Generally Satisfactory")
• The date of inspection
• The Food Standards Agency and local authority logos
• A QR code or web address linking to the full details online

The sticker is designed to be visible from outside the premises, so you can check the rating before entering.

Is Display Mandatory?

This depends on where the business is located:

Wales – Mandatory Since 2013

The Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Act 2013 made it a legal requirement for all food businesses in Wales to display their rating sticker in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance. Failure to display can result in a fixed penalty notice.

Northern Ireland – Mandatory Since 2016

The Food Hygiene Rating Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 introduced the same requirement. All food businesses must display their rating sticker where it is visible to customers.

England – Voluntary

In England, businesses are not legally required to display their rating, although the FSA strongly encourages it. Most businesses with high ratings choose to display them. The absence of a sticker in England could mean the business has chosen not to display it, or it could indicate a lower rating.

Scotland – Different System

Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) with a Pass/Improvement Required system rather than the 0–5 scale. Display is encouraged but not mandatory.

What If the Sticker Is Missing?

If you do not see a sticker:

• In Wales or Northern Ireland – the business should be displaying one. You can report this to the local authority, or simply check the rating online at Food Hygiene Check.
• In England – it may simply be that the business has chosen not to display it. Check online before you eat.
• New businesses – may not yet have been inspected. They will show as "Awaiting Inspection" and will not have a sticker.

Can Businesses Display Old Stickers?

Businesses should display the sticker from their most recent inspection. If a business has been reinspected and received a lower rating, it should replace the old sticker with the new one. In practice, some businesses may delay updating their displayed rating. If the date on the sticker does not match the most recent inspection date shown online, the online information is more current.

Online and Delivery Businesses

Businesses that trade primarily online or through delivery platforms are also included in the rating scheme. While they may not have a physical sticker to display, their rating is available online. In Wales and Northern Ireland, online businesses are required to include their rating on their website or ordering page.

Some food delivery platforms also display hygiene ratings alongside restaurant listings, making it easier for consumers to check before ordering.

The Push for Mandatory Display in England

There have been repeated calls for England to follow Wales and Northern Ireland in making display mandatory. The FSA has long advocated for this, and evidence from Wales suggests that mandatory display has led to improvements in hygiene standards as businesses are more motivated to achieve and maintain high ratings.

As of 2026, mandatory display in England has not been enacted, but the pressure continues to mount.

Checking Online Is Always Best

Regardless of whether a sticker is displayed, the most reliable source for food hygiene ratings is always the online database. Stickers can be outdated, missing, or in some cases not genuine. Search for any food business on Food Hygiene Check to see the latest rating, inspection date, sub-scores, and rating history.