Safeguards for Food Businesses
Appeals If a food business operator thinks their rating is wrong or unfair, and does not reflect the hygiene standards at the time of the inspection – they can appeal against this. In the first instance they should speak to the inspection officer and ask them to explain why they achieved the rating they did. They can also discuss the rating with the Food Control Manager.
If they still think the rating is wrong they can lodge an appeal. To do this they must complete the Appeal Form, and return it to the Food Control Manager within 14 days of being notified of their rating. If they do not appeal within this time the rating will be published on the
FSA's website. The Food Control Manager will review the case and they will be notified of the result within 7 days. That rating will then be published.
Right to Reply
This allows food business operators the opportunity to explain to potential customers any actions that have been taken since the inspection to improve the hygiene standards at the premises. It is not an opportunity to complain about or criticise Blackpool Council, or the hygiene rating scheme.
If a food business operator wishes to exercise their right to reply they should send their comments in writing to the Food Control Manager on the Right to Reply form. Right to Reply forms can be submitted at anytime up until the next inspection. The Right to Reply will be published alongside the food hygiene rating on the
FSA's website.
N.B. Blackpool Council reserves the right to edit comments in order to remove any offensive, defamatory, inaccurate or irrelevant remarks
Requesting Revisits A business will automatically receive a new rating each time it is inspected. If improvements have been made to a business following an inspection a food business operator can request a revisit before the next planned inspection. Please note that the officer will be looking at standards generally and not just the specific areas that were raised at the last inspection. Therefore a rating could go up or down.
If a food business operator wishes to request a revisit they should complete the Request for Revisit form and send it to the Food Control Manager. They must explain what actions have been taken to improve the hygiene standards and provide supporting evidence such as photographs, receipts and photocopies of documents to show that the work has been completed. Blackpool Council can refuse a request if not enough information and evidence is provided.
This will place a greater demand on our service and as such businesses will have to pay for these revisits. The cost of the revisit and associated paperwork is £80. This needs to be paid when you submit your Request for Revisit form. If your request is refused then your payment will be returned to you. You can pay by cash, cheque or you can pay by credit or debit card over the telephone by ringing 01253 478327.
The revisit will usually take place within 3-6 months after the inspection date. They will be told about your new hygiene rating within 14 days of the revisit taking place. This could stay the same, go up or go down. As with the original rating this can be appealed or the business can exercise its right to reply.
BACK TO FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME