Food Hygiene Ratings

Who needs to register?

Anyone who sells food, cooks food for the public, or stores and distributes food needs to register as a food business. This includes:

• Hot food vendors at markets and craft fairs.
• Cake and baked goods sellers (including from home).
• Jam, chutney, and preserve makers.
• Anyone selling food online or via social media.

The only exemptions are for purely private and domestic purposes — once you sell to the public, you need to register.

How to register

Registration is done through your local authority (the council where your business or home kitchen is based). You can usually register online through the GOV.UK 'Register a food business' service. It is free and must be done at least 28 days before you start trading.

Once registered, an environmental health officer will arrange an inspection — usually within a few weeks, though timescales vary.

What inspectors look for

Food hygiene inspections assess three main areas:

• Hygienic food handling — how food is prepared, cooked, stored, and served.
• Physical condition of the premises or stall — cleanliness, layout, facilities, ventilation, and lighting.
• Food safety management — your documented procedures for keeping food safe (e.g. a food safety management system based on HACCP principles).

Each area is scored and combined into an overall rating from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good).

Tips for a good rating

• Keep everything clean — surfaces, equipment, hands, and clothing.
• Store raw and ready-to-eat foods separately.
• Check and record fridge and hot-holding temperatures.
• Have a basic food safety management system written down — the FSA's 'Safer Food, Better Business' pack is a free template designed for small businesses.
• Complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene course — available online and typically costs £10–£25.
• Be honest with the inspector and ask questions if you are unsure.

Displaying your rating

In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is a legal requirement to display your food hygiene rating sticker at your premises or stall. In England, display is voluntary but strongly encouraged — customers trust vendors who display a good rating.

Your rating is also published on the Food Standards Agency website, so customers can look you up.