We inspect food premises to make sure they comply with food health and safety standards. This can be as part of our programme of inspections or in response to a complaint. We do not need to make an appointment to inspect premises. We will usually turn up at food establishments without prior notice.
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
The council run this scheme with the Food Standards Agency. The Food Standards Agency is the central government department responsible for food safety. It will help you choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving you information about the hygiene standards in food premises when they are inspected by one of our food safety officers. Our officers check that they are meeting legal requirements on food hygiene and give a rating based on the inspection.
Businesses that are given a rating
Any establishment where consumers can eat or buy food are given a rating, These include:
- restaurants
- takeaways
- cafés
- sandwich shops
- pubs
- hotels
- supermarkets.
Understanding ratings
A business can be given one of six ratings:
- 5 = Very good
- 4 = Good
- 3 = Generally satisfactory
- 2 = Improvement necessary
- 1 = Major improvement necessary
- 0 = Urgent improvement necessary
All businesses should be able to get the highest rating. If a food outlet does not score 5, the food safety officer will explain to the owner or manager what they must improve.
Check an establishment's rating
You can find ratings for Slough food outlets on the Food Standards Agency website.
Businesses are also given a window sticker and certificate showing their rating and are encouraged to display these at their premises in places where you can easily see them when you visit. In England, display is currently voluntary.