The ‘Food Hygiene Rating Scheme’ –
Display your hygiene rating template
letters
Notes for local authorities
The attached template letters may be used by local authorities to encourage
businesses with a 3, 4 or 5 rating to display the FHRS sticker by drawing attention to
the benefits of doing so.
The text may be tailored by individual authorities to suit local needs.
A letter can be sent on its own or with a copy of the relevant ‘It’s good for business –
how to get the most out of your food hygiene rating’ leaflet – there is a separate
leaflet for businesses with a top rating of 5 and one for those with a rating of 3 or 4.
Local authorities can download the leaflets at http://www.food.gov.uk/businessindustry/caterers/hygieneratings/toolkit, and add their logo before printing them.
Any feedback on the template letters is welcome and should be emailed to:
hygieneratings@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Template 1: businesses with a 5 rating
[Business name]
[Business address]
[Date]
Dear [Food business operator],
Display your Hygiene Rating now – read on to find out why
I am sending you this letter as I have noticed that you are not displaying your food
hygiene rating sticker, despite having the top rating of 5. This could cost you valuable
customers.
It’s good for business
Food Standards Agency (FSA) research shows that customers are now looking out for
the distinctive green and black stickers. If you are not displaying your rating, then
people can draw their own conclusions and assume that your hygiene standards don’t
meet requirements!
Almost 70% of businesses that have achieved a rating of 5 are already displaying their
rating, and around half of these businesses say that this has had a positive impact on
their business. Benefits include greater customer confidence, better reputation among
customers and, most importantly, more customers. Businesses themselves are telling
us the same thing:
‘With a rating of 5 we’re attracting more customers, because we have
the upper hand’.
Restaurant owner
What can you do?
To make sure you make the most out of your food hygiene rating, display your sticker.
I’ve included a replacement one in case you have lost the one you were sent following
your last inspection. So put your sticker up now in a place that is visible to your
customers before they enter the premises.
If you have any questions about this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me on
[telephone number].
Yours sincerely,
[Officer’s name]
[Officer’s job title]
[Business name]
[Business address]
Template 2: businesses with a 4 rating
[Business name]
[Business address]
[Date]
Dear [Food business operator],
Display your Hygiene Rating now – read on to find out why
I am sending you this letter as I have noticed that you are not displaying your food
hygiene rating sticker, despite having a rating of 4. This could cost you valuable
customers.
It’s good for business
Food Standards Agency (FSA) research shows that customers are now looking out for
the distinctive green and black stickers. If you are not displaying your rating, then
people can draw their own conclusions and assume that your hygiene standards are
not good!
More than half of businesses that have achieved a rating of 4 are already displaying
their rating, and around half of businesses say that displaying their rating has had a
positive impact on their business. Benefits include greater customer confidence, better
reputation among customers and, most importantly, more customers. Businesses
themselves are telling us the same thing:
‘There’s no doubt that the scheme has led to increased business and
helped us expand into a second premises’
Restaurant owner
What can you do?
To make sure you make the most out of your food hygiene rating, display your sticker.
I’ve included a replacement one in case you have lost the one you were sent following
your last inspection. So put your sticker up now in a place that is visible to your
customers before they enter the premises.
If you have any questions about this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me on
[telephone number].
Yours sincerely,
[Officer’s name]
[Officer’s job title]
Template 3: businesses with a 3 rating
[Business name]
[Business address]
[Date]
Dear [Food business operator],
Display your Hygiene Rating now – read on to find out why
I am sending you this letter as I have noticed that you are not displaying your food
hygiene sticker, despite having a rating of 3. This could cost you valuable customers.
It’s good for business
Food Standards Agency (FSA) research shows that customers are now looking out for
the distinctive green and black stickers. If you are not displaying your rating, then
people can draw their own conclusions and assume that your hygiene standards are
not satisfactory!
More and more businesses are displaying their stickers and around half of them say
that this is having a positive impact on their business. Benefits include greater
customer confidence, better reputation among customers and, most importantly, more
customers. Businesses themselves are telling us the same thing:
‘There’s no doubt that the scheme has led to increased business and
helped us expand into a second premises’
Restaurant owner
What can you do?
To make sure you make the most out of your food hygiene rating, display your sticker.
I’ve included a replacement one in case you have lost the one you were sent following
your last inspection. So put your sticker up now in a place that is visible to your
customers before they enter the premises.
If you have any questions about this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me on
[telephone number].
Yours sincerely,
[Officer’s name]
[Officer’s job title]