When a food business is inspected it is given a hygiene rating that reflects the findings at the time of the visit.
We carry out a risk based programme of food hygiene inspections to ensure that food sold to the public is safe to consume. When a food business is inspected it is given a hygiene rating that reflects the findings made at the time of the visit. Certain businesses, such as wholesalers and manufacturers, are exempt from the scheme.
Find food hygiene ratings in Merton
Search for food hygiene ratings in Merton (Food Standards Agency website)
How are the ratings worked out
The rating ranges from zero (worst) to five (best) and is based on the food safety standards found at the time of the inspection. Three areas are assessed:
- food hygiene
- structure and cleanliness
- confidence in management
The rating does not reflect the quality of food nor the standard of service.
As part of the scheme, food businesses are given a window sticker showing the rating achieved, the display of which is currently voluntary.
Appealing against a hygiene rating
Once the owner has been advised of their hygiene rating there is a 21 day period within which the food business operator can appeal to Merton Council if they consider that the inspecting officer awarded them a rating which they feel is unjust , for example, they feel that the rating did not reflect the hygiene standards and management controls found at the establishment at the time of the inspection. We will respond to the appeal within 14 days. During this period no hygiene rating will be displayed at the establishment until the appeal has been determined.
Requesting a food hygiene rating revisit
The food business operator can make a request for a further visit to re score the premises and this request can be made at anytime, but the revisit will not take place until at least three months from the initial inspection has elapsed.
Only one requested revisit will take place, other than in exceptional circumstances. The food business operator will need to outline the improvements that they have made on the revisit request form. Sufficient evidence of the improvement should be included (for example, photographs if necessary ) as , if the case made by the food business operator is not substantiated, the council can decline the request to revisit.
Any visit that is undertaken will be unannounced and will take place within three months of the request being made. The inspecting officer will not only check that the required improvements have been made, but will also assess the level of the compliance that is found overall. The score therefore could go up, down or remain the same.
This is a chargeable service. The current charge is £261.
Right to reply
Food business operators have a right to reply which will be published on the website with their score. The purpose is to enable the food business operator to give an explanation of any actions that may have been taken to rectify the non compliance or mitigation for the circumstances at the time of the inspection.
The right to reply should be sent to the address given below . the comments may be edited before being published on the website
Early publication request
As a business owner or manager you can request that a rating is published before the end of the appeal period. This request must be made in writing to your local authority (contact as below) You must include: details of who you are; the name and address of the business; your contact information; the date of the inspection; and the rating given. We will review the request and will usually publish the rating early.
You can use the relevant form below, email or write to your local authority directly.
Consent for early publication of rating form
Related websites
Food hygiene ratings (Food Standards Agency)