Food hygiene inspections - how we carry one out

Liverpool runs a food hygiene rating scheme in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The law says we can inspect any food premises without making an appointment or giving advance notice.

How often do we visit?

How often we visit depends on:

• the type of food you handle
• how you manage the business
• the condition of your premises
• any complaints that we have received
• the level of risk to the public

What happens during an inspection?

At an inspection, we check if your business meets food laws and produces food that is safe to eat.

Our officers will inspect:

• your premises
• how you work
• your food safety management system
• the types of food you make and prepare

What action can we take?

Following an inspection we may take action to protect the public, if needed. This means we may:

• write you a letter outlining issues with compliance and ask you to correct them
• serve a formal legal notice that sets out things you must do by a certain date
• prevent you from using certain processes, your premises or equipment if the inspector determines that your business is posing an imminent risk to health
• recommend a prosecution in serious cases