Scores on the Doors - Re Rating Policy
Re-Rating Policy
Introduction
North Devon Council undertakes food hygiene inspections of certain food businesses within the district. This is undertaken in line with Annex V, Food Law Code of Practice (England)
(3.0Mb), which is issued by the Food
Standards Agency 
. All Local Authorities must follow and implement the
provisions of the code that apply to them.
This policy outlines the main principles of the code of practice that are applicable to the food hygiene inspection rating of food businesses and how this is applied to the Star Rating System.
It is important to note that the ratings will only be given following every primary inspection and not a secondary inspection.
The Council will not be re-assessing a food business during the interim period.
Even if improvement works have been completed no re- visits will be undertaken with a view to modifying the scores given.
The next primary inspection could be between 6 months - 2 years later.
This is in line with the guidance below:
Inspection Ratings
The Food Law Code of practice states:
“4.1.6: Frequency of Inspection: Inspection Ratings:
"Inspection ratings determine the interval that should elapse between one primary inspection of a food business and the next and the priority of the next primary inspection of that business relative to the other businesses in the Food Authority’s planned inspection programme (See also Annex 5 of the Code of Practice).
"The inspection rating(s) of a food business should be assessed or reassessed at the conclusion of every primary inspection in accordance with Annex 5 of the Code of Practice (or any amendment thereto that may be notified to Food Authorities by the Agency).
"Inspection ratings should not be re-assessed at secondary inspections.
"Inspection programmes should be planned so that businesses are inspected no later than 28 days after the relevant date determined by the inspection rating, apart from circumstances outside the control of the Food Authority such as seasonal business closures.”
"4.1.7:Early Inspection:
"Circumstances may arise that make it appropriate to bring forward a primary inspection. Such circumstances may include when the Food Authority:
Re-Rating Policy
Introduction
North Devon Council undertakes food hygiene inspections of certain food businesses within the district. This is undertaken in line with Annex V, Food Law Code of Practice (England)
(3.0Mb), which is issued by the Food
Standards Agency . All Local Authorities must follow and implement the
provisions of the code that apply to them.This policy outlines the main principles of the code of practice that are applicable to the food hygiene inspection rating of food businesses and how this is applied to the Star Rating System.
It is important to note that the ratings will only be given following every primary inspection and not a secondary inspection.
The Council will not be re-assessing a food business during the interim period.
Even if improvement works have been completed no re- visits will be undertaken with a view to modifying the scores given.
The next primary inspection could be between 6 months - 2 years later.
This is in line with the guidance below:
Inspection Ratings
The Food Law Code of practice states:
“4.1.6: Frequency of Inspection: Inspection Ratings:
"Inspection ratings determine the interval that should elapse between one primary inspection of a food business and the next and the priority of the next primary inspection of that business relative to the other businesses in the Food Authority’s planned inspection programme (See also Annex 5 of the Code of Practice).
"The inspection rating(s) of a food business should be assessed or reassessed at the conclusion of every primary inspection in accordance with Annex 5 of the Code of Practice (or any amendment thereto that may be notified to Food Authorities by the Agency).
"Inspection ratings should not be re-assessed at secondary inspections.
"Inspection programmes should be planned so that businesses are inspected no later than 28 days after the relevant date determined by the inspection rating, apart from circumstances outside the control of the Food Authority such as seasonal business closures.”
"4.1.7:Early Inspection:
"Circumstances may arise that make it appropriate to bring forward a primary inspection. Such circumstances may include when the Food Authority:
- Receives a new registration application
- Receives a consumer complaint
- Receives a request to change registration details
- Becomes aware of any material change in the ownership, management, layout or nature of operation of a food business
- Receives a referral under the Home Authority Principle
- Receives a request or other information from the Agency
- Becomes aware of a possible outbreak of food borne infection
- Becomes aware that the business may be closed at the time of the due date because of seasonal closure.
"Where a proprietor believes that an inspection has resulted in an unfair rating of the hygiene standards of the food business, then an appeal should be made to their line manager. The inspecting officer will then be required to justify the score given and any reassessment will be made to the rating."
