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How to Check Food Hygiene Ratings Online: The FSA Database

How to Check Any Food Hygiene Rating Online Using the FSA Database and Other Sources

Every food hygiene rating issued in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is published online in the FSA Food Hygiene Rating Scheme database at food.gov.uk/ratings. This is the official, authoritative source for food hygiene ratings. Customers, journalists, competitors, contract providers, and delivery platforms all use this database to check ratings. As a food business owner, you should know exactly what your public listing looks like, when it was last updated, and how to correct any errors. This guide explains how to use the FSA database and other sources to check ratings.

Key takeaways

The official source for food hygiene ratings is food.gov.uk/ratings, maintained by the FSA.
Delivery platforms and Google Maps also display ratings, sourced from the FSA API.
There is always a delay of several weeks between an inspection and the rating appearing online.
Corrections to your listing must go through your local authority, which submits data to the FSA.
A change of ownership does not reset or remove the existing rating.

Using the FSA Food Hygiene Rating Scheme Website

The FSA database is available at food.gov.uk/ratings. You can search by business name, address, or local authority area. Each listing shows the business name, address, type of business, food hygiene rating (0-5), the date of the last inspection, and the local authority responsible. For some businesses, you can also see a map pin showing the location. The data is updated regularly as local authorities submit new inspection results to the FSA. However, there is always a delay between the inspection date and the rating appearing online, typically a few weeks. If you have recently been inspected and your new rating is not yet showing, contact your local authority to confirm the expected publication date. The website also allows you to download data sets for research or analysis, which is how third-party platforms and apps access the information.

Checking Ratings on Delivery Platforms and Google

Major delivery platforms including Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats display food hygiene ratings alongside restaurant listings. They pull this data from the FSA API, so it should match the official FSA website. However, there can be synchronisation delays, and occasionally a platform may show an outdated rating. Google Maps and Google Business profiles are also starting to display food hygiene ratings for UK businesses, sourced from the FSA database. As a business owner, it is worth periodically checking how your rating appears across all the platforms your customers use. If a platform is showing an incorrect or outdated rating, contact them with evidence of your current rating from the FSA website.

What to Do If Your Listing Is Wrong

If your FSA listing contains incorrect information, such as a wrong address, wrong business name, or a rating you believe is outdated, contact your local authority first. The local authority submits the data to the FSA, so corrections must go through them. Common issues include businesses that have changed ownership (the new owner inherits the rating until a new inspection takes place), businesses that have moved premises, and listings for businesses that have closed. If your rating has changed following a rescore but the FSA website has not been updated, your local authority can confirm the timeline for publication. Keep in mind that a change of ownership does not automatically trigger a new inspection; the new operator inherits the previous rating and must wait for the next scheduled inspection or request a rescore.
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What to do next

Search for your business on food.gov.uk/ratings today

Check that your business name, address, and rating are correct. Note the inspection date and verify it matches your most recent inspection. This is what every customer, journalist, and competitor sees.

Check your listing on delivery platforms and Google Maps

Search for your business on Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Google Maps. Verify the displayed rating matches the FSA website. Report any discrepancies to the platform.

Contact your local authority if any details are incorrect

If your business name, address, or rating is wrong on the FSA website, contact your local authority environmental health department. They manage the data and can submit corrections to the FSA.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake
Assuming a new owner starts with a clean slate
Instead
When a food business changes ownership, the previous rating stays on the FSA website until the new owner receives their own inspection. The new owner can request an early inspection, but until it happens, they inherit the old rating.
Mistake
Ignoring how your rating appears on third-party platforms
Instead
Most customers discover your rating on delivery apps or Google, not the FSA website. If these platforms show an outdated or incorrect rating, it actively harms your business. Check regularly and report errors.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a food hygiene rating?

Visit food.gov.uk/ratings and search by business name or address. This is the official FSA database covering all rated businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You can also check ratings on delivery platforms (Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats) and increasingly on Google Maps.

Why does the FSA website show an old rating after my recent inspection?

There is always a delay between the inspection and the rating being published online. Your local authority must process the inspection results and submit the data to the FSA. This typically takes a few weeks. Contact your local authority to confirm the expected publication date.

Can I remove my business from the FSA ratings website?

No. All food businesses inspected under the FHRS are listed on the FSA website. You cannot opt out or request removal. The only way to change your public rating is to improve your standards and either wait for the next routine inspection or request a paid rescore visit.

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