UK food hygiene rating
How to Appeal a Food Hygiene Rating
If you disagree with a Food Hygiene Rating, you have rights: a formal appeal within 21 days, the option to request a re-visit once you have fixed the issues, and a right to reply published alongside your rating. Here is exactly what each option means and how to use them.
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Your three options after a rating you disagree with
Right to reply
You can publish a statement alongside your published rating explaining what you have done to improve, without needing a formal appeal or a re-visit. It sits next to your rating for anyone who looks it up.
Re-visit request
Once you have fixed the issues that caused your rating, you can ask your Local Authority for a fresh inspection and a new rating. This is not an appeal; you are accepting the previous rating and asking for a second chance. Many local authorities charge a fee for a re-visit, though the amount varies by council. It is your responsibility to confirm the current fee with your Local Authority before you ask.
Formal appeal
You can appeal to your Local Authority within 21 days of being notified of your rating if you believe the inspection was unfair, the facts recorded are wrong, or the score given does not match the evidence. An appeal disputes the rating itself, not the issues. The Local Authority decides the outcome. There is no fee for an appeal.
How to appeal, step by step
A successful appeal hinges on clarity and evidence. Work through these steps to make your case as strong as possible.
- 1
Read the officer's written report
Identify exactly what you are disputing: the facts the officer recorded, or the score they gave against a specific FSA scoring area.
- 2
Gather your evidence
Collect records, photographs, or proof of corrective action that supports your case.
- 3
Contact your Local Authority in writing, within 21 days
You can appeal to your Local Authority within 21 days of being notified of your rating. Confirm the exact process with your own council, as it can vary.
- 4
Set out clearly why you believe the rating was wrong
Reference the specific scoring area you are disputing and the evidence that supports a different outcome.
- 5
Await the Local Authority's decision
The Local Authority decides the outcome of an appeal, not Kitchen Tonic or any other consultant. An appeal is a separate process from requesting a re-visit.
Food Hygiene Rating Appeal FAQs
How long do I have to appeal a food hygiene rating?+
You can appeal to your Local Authority within 21 days of being notified of your rating.
What is the difference between an appeal and a re-visit request?+
An appeal disputes the inspection itself, the facts recorded or the score given. A re-visit request is different: you accept the rating, have fixed the issues that caused it, and are asking for a fresh inspection and a new score. Many councils charge a fee for a re-visit; an appeal is a separate process.
Do all councils charge for a re-visit?+
Many local authorities charge a fee for a requested re-visit, though the amount and process vary by council. Confirm the current fee with your own Local Authority before requesting one.
What is my right to reply?+
You can publish a statement alongside your published rating explaining what you have done to improve, without needing a formal appeal or a re-visit. It sits next to your rating for anyone who looks it up.
Can a consultant get my rating changed?+
No. The Local Authority decides the outcome of any appeal or re-visit, not a consultant. What we can do is make sure every issue is genuinely fixed and evidenced before you ask, so your case for a re-visit or appeal is as strong as it can be.
Strengthen your case
Get your kitchen inspection-ready before you appeal
Fix every issue properly and document it, so your appeal is based on a genuine improvement and not just words.