Introduction
New! Got a 1-Star Hygiene Rating (or other low score)? Here Is Everything You Need to Know About How To Appeal Your Food Hygiene Rating – All in One Place 🔥
This guide has been designed to answer every question you have about the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) appeals procedure. This is a MUST READ for any business owner thinking about appealing their food hygiene rating.
Got a 1-Star Hygiene Rating or other low score? Do you disagree with the outcome of your recent EHO inspection? Does your rating feel unfair or wrong? Wondering how to challenge it?
👉 You’re not alone. Less than 1% of businesses appeal their Food Hygiene Rating—often because they don’t understand the process or fear the consequences. But here’s the thing: you have the right to appeal, and it’s completely FREE.
Use this guide to answer all your questions about how to appeal your food hygiene rating. But first – we want to quickly mention GIA.
Start your FREE (FHRS) appeals application today.
Don’t miss your chance to appeal.
💡 Meet GIA, our AI powered (FHRS) Appeals Assistant. Here to guide you on how to appeal your Food Hygiene Rating!

If you are unsure whether to appeal? Or need expert help to appeal against an unfair hygiene rating – GIA can help. She has been fully trained to understand the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) Appeals Procedure. Let GIA walk you through the appeals process step-by-step. As well as checking your eligibility to appeal, she will generate a fully formatted appeals letter using the official Food Standards Agency (FSA) template. Use GIA to challenge an unfair 1-star hygiene rating (or other low score) with ease!
Now, let’s get back to it. Below we’ve put together a Complete FAQ Guide to help you understand your right to appeal your food hygiene rating. It covers every step of the process—no fluff, no confusion, just straight answers. Because, sometimes, EHOs get it wrong. That’s why the (FHRS) appeals system is built into the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme — it is an important safeguard, yet rarely talked about.
💡 Know your rights. Challenge an unfair rating. Protect your business.
👉 Read our Complete FAQ Guide to defend your business now!
Purpose of the (FHRS) Appeals Procedure
Q1. I disagree with my 1-Star Hygiene Rating, following a recent EHO inspection, what can I do about it?
A1. Under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), each local authority must have an appeals procedure in place. This allows food business owners to challenge their Food Hygiene Rating if they feel it is wrong or unfair.
When To Appeal Your 1-Star Hygiene Rating?
Q2. If I want to use the appeals procedure, what valid reasons do I need to challenge my 1-Star Hygiene Rating?
A2. You can use the appeals procedure to challenge your food hygiene rating if:
a) you do not agree that the rating properly reflects the hygiene standards or management controls found at your premises at the time of the inspection, or
b) you believe that the rating criteria were not applied correctly when producing your Food Hygiene Rating.
Q3. Can I appeal a ‘new’ 1-Star Hygiene Rating following a reinspection/re-visit that I requested?
A3. Yes. You can appeal the ‘new’ 1-Star Hygiene Rating if you dispute the score.
When NOT To Appeal Your 1-Star Hygiene Rating
Q4. As a business owner, when am I NOT permitted to use the appeals procedure?
A4. You are not permitted to use the appeals procedure if:
1) You have already accepted your 1-Star Hygiene Rating. This means:
– you have already requested a re-inspection/re-visit for a re-rating. And you have started work on the compliance(s) issues identified at the time of the initial inspection. Or;
– you have submitted a ‘right to reply’ to tell consumers about improvements that you have made.
2) You have missed the 21 day appeals deadline.
Q5. What is the 21 day deadline?
A5. You have 21 days to appeal from the date you were notified of your 1-Star Hygiene Rating. This includes weekends and bank holidays. If you try to appeal after the 21 day deadline, your application will be refused. And after the 21-day period has ended, your Food Hygiene Rating will be published online at food.gov.uk/ratings if no appeal has been lodged within the timeframe.
(FHRS) Appeals Procedure - How Does It Work?
Q6. What does the Food Hygiene Rating appeals procedure look like?
A6. See Flow Diagram below which outlines the stages of the Food Hygiene Rating appeals procedure.

Q7. How long would it take to appeal an unfair Hygiene Rating?
A7. If you appeal your Food Hygiene Rating, your appeal application has to be made in writing within 21 days. This starts from the date you received notification of your hygiene rating letter following the EHO inspection. The 21 day time period includes weekends and bank holidays.
Q8. Is there a specific form that I should use to appeal my 1-Star Hygiene Rating?
A8. Yes, you can download the standard appeal template from www.food.gov.uk or from your local authority website. You can download the appeal for here.
Q9. Will I receive a response from the Local Authority to confirm my appeal application has been received?
A9. Yes, you will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your appeal, similar to the one shown here.
1-Star Hygiene Rating: How To Dispute Your Rating Informally?
Q10. Is it possible to dispute my 1-Star Hygiene Rating informally?
A10. Yes, it is sensible to talk to the ‘inspecting officer’ or the EHO informally, in the first instance. Try to resolve any dispute you have about your Food Hygiene Rating informally, before considering using the appeals procedure. You need to understand how your score was derived. And where you lost marks. After all, if you decide to appeal, you will be disputing your score.
Q11. You mentioned a 21 day time limit for appeals. Does this time limit stop when you are informally disputing your rating?
A11. No. The appeal time limit will still be running, even when you are informally discussing your rating to dispute it. Any informal discussions DO NOT form part of the formal appeal procedure.
Q12. If I dispute my 1-Star Hygiene Rating, will the rating be published online? And will I be required to display the disputed rating at the front of my premises?
A12. No. Until the outcome of the appeal is determined, your 1-Star Hygiene Rating will not be published online. What will be shown online is a notice with the words ‘awaiting publication’.
Q13. Can I leave my previous Food Hygiene Rating sticker on display whilst I am appealing my new rating?
A13. No. You will be requested to take down and destroy your previous sticker. You will be required to display a new ‘awaiting publication’ sticker. Also, you will be reminded that to continue to display the ‘awaiting publication’ sticker after the appeal period has ended may constitute an offence under trading standards legislation.
Roles & Responsibilities When Appealing Your 1-Star Hygiene Rating
Q14. Who will determine the appeal of my 1-Star Hygiene Rating?
A14. The appeal is likely to be considered by the Lead Officer for Food. Or in their absence, by a designated deputy. However, local authorities are encouraged to involve neighbouring authorities with the appeals process to make appeals fairer. You need to ask about this to find out who is involved with your appeal.
Q15. What role does the ‘inspecting officer’ play in determining my appeal?
A15. The food officer or EHO who carried out the inspection for the Food Hygiene Rating that you are disputing will have nothing to do with your appeal.
Q16. How will the appeal of my 1-Star Hygiene Rating be carried out?
A16. During the appeal, the paperwork associated with your recent inspection and the Food Hygiene Rating awarded to you, will be considered. It may be necessary for a further inspection to be carried out by a different officer. This will depend on the nature of the dispute. It will also depend on whether a decision can or cannot be made on the basis of the paperwork and your Food Hygiene Rating.
What If My Appeal Over A 1-Star Hygiene Rating Is Unsuccessful?
Q17. How will I be informed if my appeal is unsuccessful?
A17. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to you in writing. You will receive a letter within 21 days from the date that the appeal was received. This 21 day period includes weekends and bank holidays. See the example letter that you will receive if your appeal is unsuccessful.
Q18. When will my Food Hygiene Rating need to be displayed?
A18. Following determination of an unsuccessful appeal, your Food Hygiene Rating will be published online at food.gov.uk/ratings. You will need to display your rating sticker at the front of your premises, if your business is located in Wales. In England, it is not mandatory to display your rating sticker, although this may change in the near future.
Q19. What happens if you disagree with the outcome of the appeal?
A19. You can challenge the local authority’s decision by judicial review. You can also use the local authority complaints procedure (including taking the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman where appropriate) if you consider that a council service has not been properly delivered.
Q20. If you challenge a decision via judicial review, what should be published at food.gov.uk/ratings?
A20. Following determination of the appeal, your rating will be published online at food.gov.uk/ratings This rating will continue to be displayed until the judicial review is determined.
Q21. Is the local authority’s complaints procedure part of the appeal process?
A21. No. There is no legal requirement for the local authority complaints procedure to form part of the appeals procedure. This does not, however, prevent you from using the local authority’s complaints procedure where you wish to complain about an unsuccessful appeal. Contact your EHO and ask about the Local Authority Complaints Procedure if you are unhappy.
What If My Appeal Over A 1-Star Hygiene Rating Is Successful?
Q22. How will I be informed that my appeal was successful?
A22. If your appeal is successful you will receive a letter like the one shown below with your new hygiene rating. You must display your new hygiene rating sticker as soon as it arrives.
Q23. When will my Food Hygiene Rating be published online following a successful appeal?
A23. Your Food Hygiene Rating will be published online when a successful appeal has been determined, and the outcome of the appeal has been communicated to your business.
Final Thoughts
🔹 Struggling with a 1-Star Hygiene Rating or other low score? Don’t navigate the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) Appeals Procedure alone!
Less than 1% of businesses challenge their Food Hygiene Rating—not because they can’t, but because they don’t know how. If you’re confused about appeals, worried about the process, or scared about getting it wrong then…
💡 Get instant guidance with GIA – our AI powered (FHRS) Appeals Assistant!
You’ll receive:
✅ Step-by-step (FHRS) appeals advice tailored to your situation.
✅ Quick, expert-backed answers to your burning questions about the (FHRS) appeals procedure, and
✅ Avoid costly mistakes – fight back the right way.
Start your free (FHRS) appeals application with GIA today!
(**works for any score**).

To find out more about the (FHRS) appeals system, read our other article here.

Hygiene Rating Sticker: UK Display Rules Explained (2025)
Not sure if you have to display your hygiene rating sticker? The rules aren’t the same across the UK — and getting it wrong could cost you. This blog breaks down what’s legally required in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and gives practical advice on what to do if your score isn’t perfect.

Prepare For A Food Hygiene Inspection With The Right Mindset
Fear and excitement feel the same in the body – only your thoughts change the outcome. This blog explores how food business owners can reframe their fear of inspections, using science-backed techniques to move from anxiety into action.

False Hygiene Rating (FHRS) Stickers – What It Means for You
Would you trust a restaurant with a 5-star hygiene rating? What if that rating was fake? Shocking undercover investigations are exposing businesses using false hygiene rating stickers to mislead customers. The risks are real. Find out how to spot, report, and protect your business from this growing scandal

How Bad Is a 1-Star Hygiene Rating?
A 1-star hygiene rating can seriously damage your business, driving customers away and attracting enforcement action. But what does it actually mean, and how can you fix it? This guide breaks down the impact of a poor rating, how it compares to other ratings, and the urgent steps you need to take to turn things around fast 🚀

How To Appeal A Food Hygiene Rating With AI – (PART 3)
Want to appeal a food hygiene rating but don’t know how? Meet GIA – the AI-powered assistant for challenging an unfair food hygiene rating. Make a strong, professional appeal application in minutes— free, no stress, no jargon, just results. Don’t let an unfair hygiene rating damage your business 🚀 Fight back today!

Appeal A 1-Star Hygiene Rating – Complete FAQ Guide (PART 2)
💡 Got a 1-star hygiene rating? Think it’s unfair? You’re not alone. But less than 1% of businesses appeal because they don’t know how. This FAQ guide (Part 2 in a series) breaks down the appeal process. And shows you how to fight back the right way. Don’t let a bad rating hurt your business—know your rights. Take action today! 🚀

Natasha’s Law: Allergen Labelling Guide For Caterers & Retailers 2025
Natasha’s Law requires clear ingredient labelling of allergens on all pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods. This change followed the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction. Let’s break down what you need to do to stay compliant.

Your Business Just Got a 1-Star Hygiene Rating. What Now?
This guide covers the immediate steps to fix issues, manage public perception, and protect your business. Don’t let a bad rating define you—turn it into a comeback. Download the Crisis Comms Kit today!

Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) Appeals – What Is The Problem? (PART 1)
The FHRS appeals system is a safeguard to ensure fairness with the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. But the appeals system has a hidden problem. Find out!

How To Protect Your Reputation When A One-Star Food Hygiene Rating Goes Public
Got a Low Food Hygiene Rating? Get your Emergency Response Kit to protect your reputation when your hygiene rating goes public!
![E.coli And Food Safety: What Caterers Need To Know [updated 2025]](https://www.infinitasfoodsafety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ecoli-Blog-Image-640-x-427-pixels-300x200.webp)
E.coli And Food Safety: What Caterers Need To Know [updated 2025]
Caterers – Learn lessons from the 2024 e.coli outbreak. Rethink your food safety by using the E. coli Guidance Fact sheet

Food Hygiene Inspections Frequencies Are Changing – What To Expect
The Food Law Code of Practice has been revised for England & Northern Ireland. It provides a new approach to food hygiene inspections and includes a new scoring system for Food Hygiene Ratings. It will impact food businesses and the frequency of how often food businesses are inspected.