Resources for local authorities joining the national scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The Agency has produced a range of guidance and materials to assist local authorities operating the national food hygiene rating scheme.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact the Food Hygiene Ratings team by emailing hygieneratings@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Related Items

More in this section

  • Branding for the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

    The branding for the scheme has been agreed, which reflects the findings of independent research with consumers.

  • Data standard for use with the national database

    The 'data standard' refers to the information that is required from local authorities for use with the national database for displaying ratings.

  • Food Hygiene Rating Scheme communication toolkits

    The FSA has produced toolkits that provide communication advice to local authorities that are either planning on rolling out the FHRS or want to promote the FHRS at a local level in the run up to Christmas. The toolkits contain information on key messages, ideas for communicating with business and consumers, template press releases and details of where to go for further information.

  • Guidance on safeguards and standard forms for businesses

    In order to ensure that the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is fair to businesses, it has been designed to include a number of safeguards. These are an appeal procedure, a 'right to reply' and an opportunity to request a re-visit when improvements have been made. There is also an 'opt in' form for 'exempt' businesses that supply consumers but have not been routinely given a food hygiene rating.

  • Guidance on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme IT system

    The Agency has produced a number of guidance documents to help local authorities that are using the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme IT system to upload their results.

  • Guidance on the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme – the 'Brand Standard'

    Consolidated guidance on all aspects of the scheme has been endorsed by the Food Hygiene Ratings Steering Group. This brings together all the previous guidance issued in draft. The guidance is in question and answer format. It covers all aspects of implementation and operation of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

  • Resources for use with consumers, businesses and council members

    The FSA has produced template materials to tell consumers and food businesses about the FHRS, template letters and forms for use after launch and to handle appeals, re-visits, right to reply and opt in requests, briefing for elected council members, web banners and resources for use within the food team and the local authority to encourage Council use of the scheme and aid display and consistency.