Food businesses

Inspection of food businesses

We inspect food businesses to check they are complying with food safety and food standards legislation, so that food is safe and is properly described:

• inspections are risk based, so that higher-risk businesses are inspected more often than lower risk ones
  
• inspections are usually unannounced
  
• inspections are also carried out to follow up complaints relating to food handling practices and food poisoning notifications
  

Following inspection, businesses are provided with a record of the inspection, including any follow up actions needed. Most food businesses (other than very low risk) will also be provided with a Food Hygiene Rating.