Support & Help Centre: FSA Food Hygiene Ratings
Welcome to the support page for the FSA Food Hygiene Ratings mobile app. If you have questions, run into issues, or want to understand how our data works, find quick answers below or get in touch with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the hygiene rating data come from?
All rating information is sourced directly from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) open API, which reflects official inspections carried out by local authorities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
How often is the data updated?
Our app syncs with the FSA’s live database. Local councils upload new inspection results continuously, though there can occasionally be a short processing delay between an inspection taking place and the rating being published online by the local authority.
Why does a business show an outdated or incorrect rating?
The app reflects the official records held on the central FSA database. If a business has recently undergone a reinspection, changed ownership, or closed down, the local council must first update the central register before those changes will appear in the app.
Why does the app ask for my location?
Location access allows the app to automatically detect nearby restaurants, pubs, cafes, and takeaways around you. We do not track, store, or profile your personal location history. If you prefer not to enable GPS, you can still search manually using a venue name, town, or postcode.
Why are Scottish ratings different?
Scotland operates under the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS), which uses a two-tier rating system: Pass or Improvement Required, rather than the numerical 0–5 system used across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Troubleshooting & Technical Issues
Location Search Not Working: Ensure that location permissions are set to "While Using the App" in your device's settings (Settings > FSA Food Hygiene Ratings > Location).
Search Returning No Results: Double-check the spelling of the business name, try entering just the outward code of the postcode (e.g., FY1 instead of the full FY1 1AA), or broaden your search radius.
App Crashing or Stalling: Ensure you have updated to the latest version of the app in the App Store / Google Play Store, and verify your device has an active internet connection.
Contact & Feedback
Need further assistance, want to report a technical bug, or have a feature suggestion? Reach out directly and we will respond as soon as possible.
Email: hello@thecaffeinemediacompany.com
iMessage: hello@thecaffeinemediacompany.com
Response Time: Typically within 1–2 business days.
Disclaimer: FSA Food Hygiene Ratings is an independent service created to make food safety data accessible. We are not run by, directly affiliated with, or endorsed by the Food Standards Agency or any UK local authority.