Food businesses
Food Hygiene - Information for businesses
The Council is responsible for regulating food hygiene in food businesses and we have a programmed inspections process for food premises to ensure that hygienic standards are being maintained.
Food Rating Scheme - Information for businesses
To ensure fairness to businesses, St Albans District Council have an appeals procedure in place for Food Business Operators (FBOs) to dispute the food hygiene rating given in respect of their establishment if they consider it to be unjust.
Right to reply
FBOs have a 'right to reply' and this will be published at food.gov.uk/ratings with the food hygiene rating.
The purpose is to enable the FBO to give an explanation of subsequent actions that have been taken to rectify non-compliance or to give reasons for the circumstances at the time of the inspection, rather than to complain or criticise the FHRS or ‘inspecting officer’.
FBOs can send comments electronically via FHRS@stalbans.gov.uk or in writing to the Regulatory Services Manager at St Albans District Council. The text may be edited by us before being published in order to remove any offensive, defamatory, clearly inaccurate or irrelevant remarks.
To download the right to reply form please click on the link below.
Alternatively if you would like to request a hard copy of the Right to Reply or Appeal form you can contact the Business Compliance Team on 01727 819 406 or email FHRS@stalbans.gov.uk stating your business name and address.
Appeals procedure
The appeals procedure is relevant where the FBO believes that the food hygiene rating given is unjust as it does not reflect the hygiene standards and management controls found at their establishment at the time of inspection.
The appeal has to be made within the period of 21 days beginning with the date the FBO received the food hygiene rating. If the 21 day period has expired and no appeal has been received, then the food hygiene rating will be published on the FSA website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings
To appeal a food hygiene rating, the FBO needs to download and complete the form below and return it by post to the Regulatory Services Manager at St Albans District Council or by email to FHRS@stalbans.gov.uk
Revisit procedure
The FBO can make a request for a revisit at any time after the original inspection has taken place.
The request should be made in writing and outline the case for a revisit, i.e indicating what action has been taken to improve the business and correct any problems. Evidence such as photos to support the request can be sent along with the form.
To request a revisit complete the form below and return it by post to the Regulatory Services Manager at St Albans District Council or by email to FHRS@stalbans.gov.uk
