The national food hygiene rating scheme (scores on the doors)

The National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), formally known as Scores on the Doors aims to provide consumers with 'at a glance' information about the hygiene standards found by Environmental Health Officers at food business establishments when they carry out food hygiene inspections. The primary purpose of the FHRS is to allow customers to make informed choices about the places where they eat out or shop for food and to encourage businesses to improve hygiene standards.

The scheme is based on six different ratings (six tiers) which reflects the range of standards that may be found. At the bottom of the scale is 0 which means urgent improvement is required. At the top of the scale is 5 which means hygiene standards are very good.

Window stickers and certificates will be given to the establishments and their rating will be displayed on the Food Hygiene Rating Schemes section of the Food Standards Agency website.

Plymouth City Council is now part of the national scheme and new ratings will be uploaded every week.

The food business operator of the establishment has a 'right to reply' in respect of the food hygiene rating given following the inspection. Food business operators can use the forms below if they wish to:

• Appeal the food hygiene rating given following their inspection if they do not agree that the rating reflects the hygiene standards and management controls found at the time of the inspection.
  
  Appeal form
• Request a re-visit for the purposes of re-rating if you have taken action to rectify the non-compliances identified at the time of inspection.
  
  Request for a revisit
• Give an explanation of subsequent actions that have been taken to make the required improvements as detailed in the inspection letter
  
  Right to reply form