National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

The National Food Hygiene Rating scheme is intended to help customers choose where to eat out or shop for food. It does this by giving them information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels, and other places where food is eaten, or sold. Supermarkets and other food shops are also included in the scheme.

The scheme is run by local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in partnership with the Food Standards Agency.

Each food business is given a 'hygiene rating' when it is inspected by a food safety officer from Breckland Council. The hygiene rating shows how closely each business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law.

The food safety officer will issue a ratings sticker which the food business may display in the window or on the door, showing the hygiene rating for that business. Although not legally required to display their rating, they are encouraged to do so for the information of customers. Regardless of whether the business displays their sticker, this information can be found on the. Food Standards Agency-Breckland area (opens new window)