How to Achieve & Maintain 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating
Complete FSA inspection guide for UK restaurants, cafes, and takeaways
67% of UK consumers check food hygiene ratings before visiting a restaurant (FSA 2024). A 5-star rating increases customer confidence and can boost sales by 15-25%. This guide shows you exactly how to achieve and keep top marks.
UK Food Hygiene Ratings Explained:
Very Good
54% of UK
Good
25% of UK
Satisfactory
13% of UK
Improvement
5% of UK
Urgent Improvement
3% of UK
The Three Assessment Areas
FSA inspectors score you on three categories. All three must pass for 5 stars:
1. Hygienic Food Handling
Score needed: Very Good
- ✓ Raw and cooked food stored separately
- ✓ Food stored at correct temperatures (below 8°C cold, above 63°C hot)
- ✓ Use-by dates checked and rotated (FIFO)
- ✓ Cross-contamination prevented (separate boards for raw meat/veg)
- ✓ Food protected from contamination (covered, sealed)
- ✓ Allergen information available and accurate
2. Cleanliness & Condition of Facilities
Score needed: Good or Very Good
- ✓ Kitchen surfaces clean and sanitized
- ✓ Equipment well-maintained (no rust, broken seals)
- ✓ Floors, walls, ceilings clean and in good repair
- ✓ Handwashing facilities with hot water, soap, paper towels
- ✓ Adequate lighting throughout kitchen
- ✓ Pest control measures in place (no evidence of pests)
3. Management of Food Safety
Score needed: Good or Very Good
- ✓ HACCP system in place and followed
- ✓ Food safety procedures documented
- ✓ Staff training records maintained
- ✓ Cleaning schedules documented and signed off
- ✓ Temperature monitoring logs complete
- ✓ Supplier approved list maintained
- ✓ Manager has Level 3 Food Safety certificate
Most Common Inspection Failures
❌ Inadequate handwashing facilities
✅ Fix: Dedicated basin with soap and paper towels. Not shared with food prep. Hot water essential.
❌ Cross-contamination risks
✅ Fix: Color-coded boards: Red (raw meat), Blue (fish), Green (veg), Yellow (cooked). Store raw below cooked in fridges.
❌ Missing or incomplete records
✅ Fix: Daily fridge temps, cleaning logs, staff training dates. If not documented, it did not happen.
❌ Food stored at wrong temperatures
✅ Fix: Fridge below 8°C, freezer below -18°C, hot hold above 63°C. Check and log twice daily.
❌ Poor personal hygiene
✅ Fix: Clean uniforms daily. Hairnets mandatory. No jewelry except plain wedding bands. No nail polish.
❌ Pest evidence
✅ Fix: Monthly pest control contract. Seal all gaps. Clean thoroughly behind equipment.
Daily Food Safety Routine
Morning (Before Service):
- ☐ Check all fridge/freezer temperatures and log
- ☐ Check use-by dates on all chilled items
- ☐ Inspect kitchen for pest evidence
- ☐ Verify handwash stations stocked (soap, towels)
- ☐ Review cleaning log from previous night
During Service:
- ☐ Monitor hot hold temperatures (probe check hourly)
- ☐ Maintain clean-as-you-go policy
- ☐ Sanitize chopping boards between tasks
- ☐ Label all opened items with date and time
End of Day:
- ☐ Deep clean all surfaces, equipment, floors
- ☐ Cover and date all prep items
- ☐ Final temperature checks and logging
- ☐ Complete cleaning schedule sign-off
- ☐ Secure all food storage areas
Preparing for Your Inspection
FSA inspections are unannounced, but you can always be ready:
Conclusion
A 5-star rating is achievable for any food business willing to implement proper procedures. Maintain daily logs, train staff properly, keep surfaces clean, and monitor temperatures religiously. The rating attracts customers and gives you pride in your operation—it is worth the effort.
Run a Professional Operation
5-star hygiene shows professionalism. So does having modern, reliable card payment systems.
Upgrade Your Card Machines