Right to reply, appeals & re-ratings
If a business disagrees with its rating, or has improved since the inspection, it has three safeguards: a right to reply, an appeal, and a re-rating inspection.
1. Right to reply
A business can tell customers its side of the story. The right to reply lets it explain any unusual circumstances at the time of inspection, or describe improvements made since. There's no deadline, so it can be submitted any time up to the next inspection, and the response is published online alongside the rating.
2. Appeal
If a business thinks the rating is wrong or unfair, it can appeal in writing to the local authority within 21 days of being notified, or 14 days in Scotland. The recommended first step is to contact the food safety officer to understand exactly how the rating was worked out, which often resolves the question without a formal appeal. The authority then has 21 days to review the appeal and reply, and details of how to appeal come with the rating notification letter.
3. Re-rating inspection
A business that didn't get a 5 (very good) can request a re-rating (re-visit) inspection once it has made improvements, rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit. At the re-visit the officer assesses standards generally, not just the specific issues previously raised, so the rating could go up, stay the same, or go down. In England, where the council charges no fee, the re-visit will not happen until three months have passed, and can take up to six months in all; one free re-rating is allowed per inspection, and councils may charge a fee instead. In Wales and Northern Ireland the re-visit takes place within three months of the request.
Official guidance
Full details are on the FSA's safeguards for businesses page and its appeal a rating page.
Common questions
Can a business appeal its food hygiene rating?
Yes. If a business believes the rating is wrong or unfair, it can appeal in writing to the local authority within 21 days of being notified, or 14 days in Scotland. Contacting the food safety officer first, to understand how the rating was worked out, often resolves it without a formal appeal.
What is a "right to reply"?
The right to reply lets a business publish a short response alongside its rating, for example explaining unusual circumstances at the time of inspection, or improvements made since. It is published online with the rating.
Can a business improve its rating before the next inspection?
Yes. A business that did not get a 5 can request a re-rating (re-visit) inspection once it has made improvements. The officer assesses standards generally, so the rating could go up, stay the same, or go down.