Food safety inspections and ratings
Our Environmental Health Officers undertake regular checks on all food businesses to ensure the public are protected and that high standards in food safety and hygiene are maintained.
Inspections to businesses are unannounced, with higher risk businesses visited more frequently than those posing a lower risk.
During the inspection, we check that adequate food safety controls are in place to protect food during storage, preparation and processing to prevent contamination and subsequent illness. We will ensure staff are adequately trained or supervised and the condition and cleanliness of the premises meets required standards.
We will provide guidance and support to businesses to help them comply with their legal requirements. Where businesses fail to meet required standards, officers will use a range of enforcement powers to instigate improvements.
Scores
Business are rated and awarded a score in accordance with the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
Scores are awarded for:
- Food hygiene compliance
- Structural compliance
- Confidence in management
Businesses are not rated against the quality of the food they produce. They are provided with a window sticker like the one below but are under no legal obligation to display it.
Request a food hygiene re-rating inspection
Before requesting a re-rating inspection of your business, you must make sure that all the non-compliances identified at the initial inspection have been completed.
You can apply for a re-rating as many times as you like.
You must pay the fee of £240 for each re-rating requested.
If you require a re-rating inspection, please complete the form below.
You will need to provide the detail of all the improvements you have made, you can also upload up to 6 images of documents or structural improvements. You will need to make payment at the end of the form to complete your application.
You will receive an acknowledgement email on completion of your application.
Once we have received your completed application, we will undertake an unannounced re-rating inspection within 10 working days. Please be aware, depending on what the officer finds at the re-rating inspection your rating may go up, down, or remain the same.
If you have any further questions contact the Environmental Health team on:
Report a problem
If you have a concern about a food business, fill in our general enquiry form to send your concerns to our Environmental Health Officers.
If you are unable to complete the form email environmentalhealth@eppingforestdc.gov.uk.