💡 This blog is part of our Food Safety Help Centre – your one-stop resource for food business owners who want clarity, not confusion.
A 1 star food hygiene rating under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a big red flag for your business. It’s a warning to customers, suppliers, regulators, and your own team that something has gone seriously wrong with your food safety standards. Food safety is a broad term that means different things to different people. But in general terms, food safety is concerned with preventing unintentional contamination of food or drink.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s mandatory to display your hygiene sticker at the entrance — so that customers can make an informed decision about where to eat or shop. But what does a food hygiene rating 1 actually mean for your business, and how do you recover from it?
In this post we outline:
- A food hygiene rating 1 meaning.
- The impact a 1 hygiene rating can have on your sales, staff, and reputation.
- How to fix a 1 star hygiene rating to protect your reputation and rebuild trust fast.
Table of Contents
1 Star Food Hygiene Rating Meaning - The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS)
As part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rates food businesses from 0 to 5 based on their compliance with food hygiene law.
A food hygiene rating of 1 indicates major improvement is necessary in at least one of these areas:
- Food handling & hygiene – Poor hygienic practices, incorrect food storage, or unsafe preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling, storage.
- Cleanliness and Structural issues – Dirty premises, pest problems, poor structural conditions, poor maintenance issues.
- Management of food safety – Lack of food safety procedures, poor record-keeping, staff not trained properly and lack of confidence that standards will be maintained in the future.
While it doesn’t mean automatic closure…
It does mean the business is on thin ice and needs to take urgent action.
How Bad Is a 1 Star Hygiene Rating?
On its own, a 1 star rating under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme doesn’t mean much – until you put it into context. So let’s do that, by comparing it to the ratings above and below.
Under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), businesses receive a rating from 5 to 0, which is displayed on a sticker.
After an inspection, the local authority sends the rating sticker to the business by post. It will arrive with a detailed inspection report letter outlining the EHO’s findings.
You will be required to display the hygiene rating sticker – depending on which part of the UK your business is located. Find out about the hygiene rating sticker display rules.
What Do The Food Hygiene Rating Scores Mean?
Food hygiene ratings range from zero to five. Here’s what the food hygiene rating scores mean under the FHRS Scheme:
A food hygiene rating 1 sits near the bottom.
- 5-Star – Hygiene standards are very good.
- 4-Star – Hygiene standards are good.
- 3-Star – Hygiene standards are generally satisfactory.
- 2-Star – Some improvement is necessary.
- 1-Star – Major improvement is necessary.
- 0-Star – Urgent improvement is necessary.
Meaning of Food Safety Ratings In Context
As a former EHO and public health consultant, I always tell my clients: a 3 food hygiene rating is technically compliant but nothing to be proud of. It means the business scraped through the food hygiene inspection – and met the minimum legal compliance standard.
Many businesses assume a 3 star food hygiene rating is a safe rating. But in reality, it signals mediocre performance with plenty of room for improvement.
For businesses that want to be seen as the best, a 3 star food hygiene rating tells consumers there’s a gap between expectation and reality. It acts as a warning. And this could cost them dearly.
In comparison, any rating below 3 stars is a poor rating. So this means a 2 star food hygiene rating, a 1 star food hygiene, and a 0 star hygiene rating. These are all dismally poor scores. The potential risk of these businesses causing ill health is higher.
If you care about your business, you wouldn’t want to stay with a 1 star hygiene rating for long.
What Is The Impact of a 1 Star Hygiene Rating?
A 1 star hygiene rating doesn’t just sit quietly in a report – it can have serious consequences to any business. This includes:
- Loss of Customers – Research shows that over 75% of diners check food hygiene ratings before eating out. Whilst a 3-star rating may be the lowest many customers will accept, a 1-star hygiene rating is often a dealbreaker.
- Damage to Reputation – The local Press love a 1-star rating story. Bad reviews and social media backlash can spread quickly. Read out post on how to protect your reputation now.
- Enforcement Action – EHOs may issue improvement notices, revisit more frequently, or even take legal action if standards don’t improve.
Can You Still Trade With a 1 Star Food Hygiene Rating?
Yes, with a 1 star food hygiene rating, even though it means major improvement is necessary, this won’t automatically mean your business has to close.
However, it does put your business at risk of:
- Loss of revenue from losing corporate clients, bookings, or delivery partnerships 😞
- Increased insurance premiums due to poor compliance.
- Being targeted more frequently by EHOs for spot checks and enforcement.
- Staff may become disengaged, unmotivated and look elsewhere for employment.
Big brands may weather the storm due to strong customer loyalty. But for smaller independent businesses, a low rating can have devastating, longer lasting consequences.
How To Fix a 1 Star Food Hygiene Rating Fast?
If you’ve been hit with a 1 star food hygiene rating, the good news is it’s not permanent.
In summary, here’s what you need to do to fix your situation quickly.
Start by carefully reviewing the EHO inspection report to pinpoint exactly where your business fell short 👉Read what to do After an EHO Inspection.
- Correct Critical Hygiene Issues Immediately – Address any pest problems, carry out deep cleaning (where necessary), and correct unsafe food handling practices.
- Update Paperwork & Training – Ensure your food safety management system accurately reflects your operations, including the food you prepare, serve, and sell. Retrain staff on relevant paperwork to ensure compliance in their specific roles
- Appeal Your Rating – If you believe the score is wrong or unfair, you can challenge it with supporting evidence. 👉Read our FAQ Guide about Appeals.
- Submit a Right to Reply on the FSA database to explain what has been done to improve since the inspection. While this won’t change your rating, it ensures potential customers and business partners see your side of the story.
- Before you request a re-inspection, it’s a smart move to do a mock EHO inspection first. That way, you’ll know exactly what to fix — and you won’t risk wasting your one chance to improve your rating. 👉 Find out how a Mock EHO Inspection works (and why it’s a smart step to take).
- Request a Re-inspection (Re-Rating Visit) – Once improvements are made, apply for a paid revisit from your local authority.
Many business owners don’t realise these safeguard options exist. Because of this they miss the chance to shield their business from harm.
How To Avoid Another 1 Star Food Hygiene Rating?
If during your last food hygiene inspection your business received a poor hygiene rating, you may want to avoid another low score? If so, check out our blog post: EHO Inspection Checklist for 5-Star Hygiene Rating as it will give you detailed advice and guidance about the food hygiene rules and how to prepare properly for your next EHO inspection.
It also contains a FREE checklist that you can download. Discover what EHOs actually look for — so you can fix compliance gaps before they cost you.
Receiving a 1 star rating under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme can feel like a full-blown food hygiene crisis — a real hair-on-fire moment. But it’s almost never down to just one person’s mistake.
Find out how to rethink and reset your business: How to Pass a Food Hygiene Inspection: A Smarter Approach before any damage sets in.
Final Thoughts
A 1 star food hygiene rating can have serious, long lasting consequences for your business reputation and customer trust — so don’t ignore it.
Treat it as the wake-up call it is. If your business has been hit with a low hygiene score, act fast and take control of the situation.
The good news? You can recover — and come back stronger.
Dr Julie Rasmussen
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I appeal a 1 star food hygiene rating?
Yes. If you believe your rating is unfair, you can appeal in writing within 21 days of being notified about your score. Submit your appeal to your local authority, including any supporting evidence (like photos, records, or maintenance reports). For a step-by-step appeals guide, read our post on how to challenge an unfair score.
Will my business be closed down if I get a 1 food hygiene rating?
A food business with a poor food hygiene rating (0 or 1) is not automatically closed down. Closure is only permitted where the EHO determines there is an ‘imminent risk’ to public health (known as the ‘health risk condition’). If there is no imminent risk, your business cannot be closed. It’s quite common for businesses with a 0 or 1 rating to stay open while they work on improvements.
Can I claim compensation for suffering losses if my business is closed by the EHO?
To temporarily close a premises (or part of one), the EHO must first serve a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice (HEPN), then apply to the magistrates’ court for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO). The court must be satisfied that the “health risk condition” existed at the time the notice was served. If the court agrees, the business stays closed until the EHO is satisfied the risk is gone. If the court disagrees, the local authority may be required to pay compensation for any losses suffered while the HEPN was in effect.
When might a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition (HEPN) Notice be served?
Some examples of when a HEPN notice would likely be issued include:
- Evidence of an uncontrolled pest infestation (rodent or cockroach activity in a storeroom or food preparation area)
- A food poisoning or foodborne disease outbreak (such as norovirus or E.coli)
- Poor structural condition of a building or equipment or poor maintenance
- A new high risk process or equipment has been introduced that is likely to lead to unsafe food (for example, you bought a sous vide machine but did not document it in your HACCP plan)
- Accumulations of waste or dirt that cause a severe contamination risk to food
- Lack of hot water for cleaning and handwashing
- Unsanitary conditions from accumulation of refuse or dirt
How long does a low or poor food hygiene rating stay on record?
Your rating will be visible online until your next food hygiene inspection — which depends on your business category and your business risk profile.
Businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland, must also display their hygiene rating sticker at a prominent position at the front of premises (Find out more in our guide to the Hygiene Rating Display Rules). The quickest way to get a better rating is to fix the issues and request a re-inspection. You’re entitled to do this once the EHO is satisfied that improvements have been made.
Is a 0 or a 1 hygiene rating always made public?
Yes. In Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s a legal requirement to display your hygiene rating sticker, and your result is published on the Food Standards Agency’s website. In England, display of your rating sticker is voluntary, but all ratings are still visible online.
What are the most common reasons for getting a 1 star food hygiene rating?
There are likely to be significant underlying issues if your business receives a 1 food hygiene rating. On the surface, it might seem like a single member of staff is at fault, and the natural reaction may be to point the finger. In reality, these problems are almost always rooted in deeper organisational issues and are reinforced by the existing food safety culture. The most common causes include:
🔹 a lack of a robust food safety management system
🔹 failure to maintain or document monitoring records
🔹 pest problems
🔹 cross-contamination risks
🔹 untrained staff
🔹 introduction of new high-risk processes or equipment without adding to your HACCP
If my business has different sections or units (like a golf club or a creche within a hotel complex), will each one get a separate food hygiene rating?
It depends on how your business is registered.
- If all the units are registered as a single food business establishment, you’ll receive one food hygiene rating. That means a problem in any part of the business can affect the rating for the whole site.
- If the units are registered separately (with different food business operators), each one gets its own rating and is inspected on its own.
Tip: Check and rethink how you’ve registered your business with the local authority. If you run several different areas or services, registering them separately (where appropriate) could help protect your rating and your reputation if there’s a problem in just one part of the business.
👉 Need help managing a hygiene rating crisis?
Download the Crisis Comms Kit — take immediate control of the narrative to protect your reputation, and start rebuilding trust.
