At NCASS we’re constantly striving to make life easier for caterers and independent hospitality businesses.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy and comprehensive guide breaking down the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, so not only can you understand the system and how it works, but also you can learn how to improve your rating and keep it consistently high, acing your inspection every time.

We always want to see our members succeed, and a good food hygiene rating is imperative for any food and drink business to succeed. It can be the difference not only between customers deciding to spend their money and time with you or not, but starkly between your business staying open or not. This guide acts a helpful resource for you to refer to whenever you need it.

Although it may not be the most exciting aspect of running your own business, compliance and moreover, the law is of the utmost importance when it comes running a food and/or drinks business – there are no shortcuts with compliance but we simplify safety for you. A good food hygiene rating acts a stamp of approval for your business in the eyes of local authorities and Environmental Health Officers, but also for customers and your reputation. Furthermore, the consequences of a poor rating could result in being charged for additional inspections or at worst your business could face temporary or permanent closure.

Our guide runs through a range of informative topics that are designed to enhance your knowledge about how the scheme works and the various factors that comprise an overall rating. Also it covers everything you need to do to understand how the scheme works, how to comply effectively with it and includes further informative FAQs such as ‘can I ask for my food hygiene rating to go live on the website early?’ and ‘if I don’t agree with the food hygiene rating that I receive what can I do?’

We’re here to support you and when it comes to best practice compliance, from our training to our Safety Management System, our guides, systems and processes have been created with independent businesses like yours in mind and wherever you are in your journey, we’re always here to help.