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Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

Food Hygiene RatingWest Somerset Council are now using the new national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme run by local authorities in England, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This has replaced Somerset Foodscores, the ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme.

The scheme will provide customers with easy to understand information about hygiene standards in food businesses.

How is the rating calculated?

Environmental Health Officers are required to give a rating for the standards of hygiene found at every food inspection.  These include:

  • How hygienically the food is handled – to include safe food preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling and storage;
  • The structural condition – to include cleanliness, repair, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities;
  • How well food safety is managed and documented.
  • The rating does not reflect the quality of food or the standard of service provided to customers.

Which businesses are given a rating?

Any food business where consumers can eat or buy food, including restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retail food outlets are given a rating.

What do the ratings mean?

  • A rating of 5 means that conditions are very good
  • A rating of 4 means that conditions are good
  • A rating of 3 means that conditions are generally satisfactory
  • A rating of 2 means that improvement is necessary
  • A rating of 1 means that major improvement is necessary
  • A rating of 0 means that urgent improvement is necessary
  • Exempt These premises are not rated as they fall outside the remit of the scheme (e.g. it is a low risk food operation or food handling/preparation was not going on at the time of the inspection).
  • Excluded Premises that do not supply food to the final consumer.
  • Sensitive Premises where the details include the home address of the food business operator.

It should be noted that the rating given will reflect the standard found at the time of the last inspection, therefore standards may have gone up or down since then.

How do I look up the rating of a food business?

Ratings for food businesses in West Somerset are now available at www.food.gov.uk/ratings 

I am the owner of a food business and I think the rating given is unfair or wrong

The business owner or manager can appeal in writing. This must be done within 14 days of being told what the rating is (this includes weekends and public holidays).

Can I request a revisit to get a new rating?

Yes, but only if the improvements to hygiene that the Local Authority Food Safety Officer identified at the last inspection have been made.

Do I have the 'right to reply' following my inspection?

Yes, a 'right to reply' can be posted on the official website.

For further information on the scheme and to download forms to appeal, request a revisit, or for the 'right to reply' go to www.food.gov.uk/ratings and click on ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. Please return forms to Erica Lake, Environmental Health & Licensing Team Leader, West Somerset Council, West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, Taunton, Somerset TA4 4QA.

Scheme Disclaimer

The food hygiene rating scheme is not an endorsement of current standards but merely reflects the rating given at the time of the last inspection. Nevertheless, we try very hard to make sure the information available on these pages is correct and in the case of the food hygiene rating scheme adheres to the FSA's brand standard.

Some high rated food businesses may not have been inspected for some time, however these will be classed as low risk and and will be subject to other enforcement safeguards.

Following an inspection it may take up to 28 days for the new rating to appear on the website.