A rating will be given to places where the public eat out or shop, for example, restaurants, takeaways, café's, sandwich shops, pubs and supermarkets. Ratings will also be given to places where the general public do not typically eat but where food is provided, for example, nursing homes, hospitals and schools.

Yes. Those businesses that present a low risk to the health of people consuming the food they sell, for example a newsagents selling only sweets, childminders caring for children in a home and businesses which do not supply food direct to the consumer, such as manufacturers, packers, importers and exporters.

When a food safety officer visits a food business to check compliance with food hygiene legislation a number of factors are assessed, the potential hazard and the risks posed by non compliance of hygiene regulations. An established scoring system used for a number of years calculates the next inspection date. The food hygiene rating system utilises part of that scoring system to determine a rating. The elements used to create that rating include the following:

• The standard of hygiene, including food handling practices and risks of cross contamination
• The structural conditions, including cleanliness
• The ability of the food business operator to manage the business and produce safe food

The ratings are from 5 meaning that standards are very good to 0 meaning that standards are not good and urgent improvements are required. Businesses may do well in some areas and less well in others and the rating takes this into account.

A rating is given each time the business has a full inspection.

If the officer finds that a food business is operating in conditions that are so poor that there is an imminent risk to the health of consumers then the business will be closed or the operation restricted. Those businesses receiving a rating of 0 or 1 may not present an imminent risk to the health of the consumer, but the standards observed by the officer may fall so far short of legal compliance it means that urgent or major improvements are required. In this instance it may not be necessary to close the business as the food safety officer can take alternative enforcement action to ensure standards are improved.

Following the inspection businesses will be receive a window sticker showing the rating they have been awarded. The rating will also be published on a national website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

The owner or manager of the business should first speak to the inspecting officer about the rating and how it was decided. If the owner or manager still believes the rating is unfair or wrong they can appeal against it. You can download an appeal form from the right hand side of this page and send it either by email to eh@winchester.gov.uk or post it to the Health Protection Team, Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ

You must appeal within 21 days of being told about the rating. The 21 day time frame includes weekends and public holidays. Alternatively, the owner or manager of the food business can exercise a 'right to reply' to the rating. This is not an appeal against the rating, but an opportunity to explain, in writing what you have done to improve the standard of hygiene and also comment on why standards were not maintained at the time of the inspection. You can download a right of reply form from the right hand side of this page and send it either by email to eh@winchester.gov.uk or post it to the Health Protection Team, Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ. It will be reviewed and published online alongside the hygiene rating.

As the food business operator of the establishment you have a right to 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. These will be informed to you either on the report of visit left onsite at the time of the visit or in a report/Action plan sent later.

You can make a request for a re-visit following a planned inspection by Winchester City Council and you can make this at any time after the inspection provided that you have made the required improvements.  Winchester City Council charges for this re-visit at a rate of £261 (including VAT).  You may make more than one request for a revisit to rerate, but there will be a charge for each request.

You must provide details of the improvements made with your request, including supporting evidence where appropriate.

The ‘Request for a revisit application and payment’ form can be found on the right hand side of this page.

Once you have submitted the ‘Request for a revisit application’ which includes the required payment, Winchester City Council considers that you are happy that you have undertaken the required improvements and an unannounced visit will be made. This will take place as soon as possible and within three months of the receipt of your request and payment of the fee.

The inspecting officer may contact you in advance of the visit to discuss the information regarding improvements made that you have submitted in support of your application.

The Winchester City Council officer will give you a ‘new’ food hygiene rating based on the level of compliance that is found at the time of the re-visit - you should be aware that your rating could go up, down or remain the same.

No, not at present. However, a good rating is good for business and worth displaying. It gives customers confidence that the business meets the requirements of food hygiene legislation and that the food produced is safe. We will be advising the public to ask for the rating when they use your premises.

Should you require any further information you can contact the Health Protection Team on 01962 848097

The Food Standards Agency has recently launched a new toolkit to assist businesses in making the most out of their food hygiene rating. The toolkit offers lots of ideas on how to promote hygiene standards and help increase the number of customers who come through the door. To access the toolkit please visit the Food Standards Agency website.