Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme replaces the 'Scores on the Doors' scheme in April 2012.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme publishes hygiene ratings for food premises so that you can be more informed about where you eat and buy from. (It does not reflect the quality of food, just how hygienically it is prepared).
Venues nationwide ranging from restaurants, cafes, takeaways, delicatessens and shops to care homes, hotels and pubs are given a rating.
Our food and safety officers, who inspect all food businesses in South Oxfordshire, give a rating* based on a scoring system, set out below. The results of their inspections are available online:
Rating description:
5 - Very good
4 - Good
3 - Generally satisfactory
2 - Improvement necessary
1 - Major improvement necessary
0 - Urgent improvement necessary
* The rating represents the situation at the time of the inspection and may not be representative of overall, long-term food hygiene standards of the business.
The Food Standards Agency sets out how food hygiene inspections are carried out according to a code of practice . Businesses are assessed on:
- Hygiene - including food handling and temperature control;
- Structure - including cleanliness, condition of structure, lighting, ventilation, washing facilities;
- Confidence in management - including evidence of a satisfactory, documented food safety management system.
Frequently asked questions
A list of frequently asked questions is available on the food ratings website:
For more information
- Visit the Food Standards Agency website
- Download the FHRS Consumer Guide
- Download the FHRS Business Guide
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme forms
- Right to reply form (DOC)
- Revisit request form (DOC)
- Appeal form (DOC)
Alternatively, please contact Environmental Health using the details on the right hand side.
Last reviewed: 25 - 04 - 2012