Our inspectors regularly visit all food businesses in Bedford Borough including restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, corner shops, warehouses and manufacturers.
Visits to premises
We visit food premises for a number reasons including:
- routine food hygiene inspections
- in response to a complaint
- as part of an educational campaign
- to carry out food sampling
Most visits are carried out without prior notification and we visit higher risk premises more frequently.
On a routine visit we inspect the food operation and the management of food hygiene to check that the business is complying with food hygiene laws.
We may speak to employees, view documentation and take photographs or food samples.
Where we find a breach of hygiene law we can take a number of actions to rectify the problem.
These actions range from giving advice and guidance for minor breaches of the law, to seizure of food and prosecutions for serious violations of food safety law.
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
When food businesses are inspected we also rate them in order to determine the frequency of inspection, and to provide a guide for local consumers.
We check how hygienically the food is prepared, cooked and stored as well as inspecting the layout, ventilation and other structural conditions of the premises.
A rating is given to each business from 0-5 (5 being excellent) and published on the Food Standards Agency website.
Request a re-visit
If you have carried out the improvements to hygiene that were highlighted in your inspection report you can request a re-visit where we will reassess your rating.
There is a charge for each re-visit you request. The re-visit will take place within three months of receipt of your application and payment.
Download and complete an application form to request a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme re-visit (Word).
Please return your completed application form to: ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk or by post to:
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Pay for your Food Hygiene Rating Scheme re-visit request
Appeals
If you disagree with your rating, you can make an appeal within 21 days of receiving a rating from us by using the Complete a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme Appeal (PDF) form.
Please return your completed application form to: ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk or by post to:
Commercial Regulation Manager
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Right to reply
If you believe your rating is unfair or wrong we can explain how your rating was calculated.
You then have a right to reply, if you still disagree, where you should explain how the business has improved hygiene or explain that there were unusual circumstances at the time of the inspection.
Your right to reply will be published with your rating on the Food Standards Agency website.
- Make a right to reply (PDF)
Please email the completed form to ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk or post to:
Commercial Regulation Manager
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP