Food Hygiene Readiness Checker
Are you ready for your food hygiene inspection? Check 26 items across the three areas inspectors actually score. Get a weighted readiness percentage and a priority fix list — so you know exactly what to tackle first.
What Inspectors Actually Check (FHRS Scoring Areas)
Food Hygiene & Safety
40% of score- Temperature control
- Cross-contamination prevention
- Personal hygiene
- Cooking procedures
- Allergen management
Structural Compliance
30% of score- Clean surfaces & equipment
- Handwash facilities
- Ventilation & lighting
- Pest control measures
- Waste management
Confidence in Management
30% of score- HACCP documentation
- Temperature logs
- Training records
- Cleaning schedules
- Supplier traceability
UK Food Hygiene Rating Distribution (2026)
Source: FSA FHRS data. 72% of UK food businesses achieve the top rating of 5.
5 Quick Wins Before Your Inspection
Print and fill in your HACCP/SFBB pack
High impactDownload the free Safer Food Better Business pack from food.gov.uk. Fill in every section — a blank SFBB pack is worse than no pack at all. Takes 2–3 hours.
Start temperature logs today
High impactLog fridge and freezer temps at opening and closing every day. Use a simple paper sheet or free app. Inspectors want to see at least 2 weeks of records.
Deep clean and photograph everything
Medium impactClean behind and under all equipment, inside fridges, extraction filters, and bin areas. Pay special attention to areas youve been ignoring. Take photos as evidence.
Check your handwash basin setup
Critical impactMust have: separate basin (not the food prep sink), hot and cold running water, antibacterial soap, paper towels or hand dryer. This is a critical fail point.
Brief all staff on food safety basics
Medium impactInspectors ask staff questions. Everyone should know: handwashing procedure, allergen protocol, fridge temps, cleaning schedule location, and what to do if food is dropped.
Related Guides
Food Hygiene Rating UK Guide
How the FHRS 0–5 rating works and what each score means
HACCP Requirements UK
Food safety management systems for commercial kitchens
Compliance Checklist by City
Ongoing compliance obligations for UK commercial kitchens
UK Food Business Licensing
Complete licensing guide with city-specific requirements
Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert
Frequently Asked Questions
What do food hygiene inspectors check?
Food hygiene inspectors assess three areas: (1) Food hygiene and safety (40%) — how you handle, store, prepare, and cook food, including temperature control and cross-contamination prevention. (2) Structural compliance (30%) — the physical condition of your kitchen including surfaces, ventilation, handwash facilities, and pest control. (3) Confidence in management (30%) — your documented food safety systems, HACCP plans, temperature logs, training records, and cleaning schedules.
How is the food hygiene rating calculated?
Each of the three areas is scored 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 (where 0 is best and 25 is worst). The scores are totalled and mapped to a 0–5 rating: 0–15 points = rating 5, 20 = rating 4, 25–30 = rating 3, 35–40 = rating 2, 45–50 = rating 1, 50+ = rating 0. Critical non-compliance in any area (such as no HACCP plan or no handwash basin) can override the total and result in a lower rating.
What rating do I need for delivery platforms?
Deliveroo requires a minimum food hygiene rating of 2 (but prefers 3+). Uber Eats requires 3+ for new partners. Just Eat accepts all rated businesses but promotes those with 4+. In practice, a rating of 3 or below will hurt your visibility and customer trust. Aim for 5 — its achievable for most businesses with proper preparation.
How often are food hygiene inspections?
Inspection frequency depends on your risk rating: high-risk businesses (rating 0–2) are inspected every 6 months, medium-risk (rating 3) every 12 months, and low-risk (rating 4–5) every 18–24 months. New food businesses are typically inspected within 28 days of registration. You will not usually be told the exact date of your inspection.
Can I request a food hygiene re-inspection?
Yes, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland you can request a re-inspection through the FHRS re-rating scheme. There is usually a fee of £150–£200 depending on your local authority. You should wait until you have fully addressed all issues from the original inspection before requesting a re-visit. In Scotland, the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) uses pass/fail rather than 0–5 ratings.
What are the most common reasons for a low food hygiene rating?
The five most common failures are: (1) No documented HACCP/food safety management system — inspectors need to see written procedures, not just verbal assurance. (2) Inadequate temperature monitoring — no logs or incomplete records. (3) Cross-contamination risks — raw and cooked foods stored together, shared chopping boards. (4) Poor cleaning — no cleaning schedule, build-up of grease or grime. (5) Structural issues — damaged surfaces, no separate handwash basin, pest evidence.
What is the difference between food hygiene ratings in England and Scotland?
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) with ratings 0–5 administered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) administered by Food Standards Scotland (FSS), which gives a simple pass/improvement required result rather than a numerical rating. Display of the rating is mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland, but voluntary in England and Scotland.
Do I need to display my food hygiene rating?
It depends on where you operate. In Wales and Northern Ireland, displaying your food hygiene rating is a legal requirement. In England and Scotland, display is voluntary but strongly recommended — customers increasingly check ratings before ordering, especially on delivery platforms. Deliveroo and Uber Eats display your rating on your restaurant profile.
Find an Inspection-Ready Kitchen
Many commercial kitchens for rent come with existing food hygiene ratings and compliance documentation — giving you a head start.
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