Score 25 — Urgent improvement necessary
A score of 25 indicates that urgent improvement is necessary in the cleanliness and condition of your premises and facilities at the time of your assessment.
This is the highest possible Cleanliness & Condition component score. FSA guidance describes it as almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations. The structural problems identified during your inspection now require urgent attention, with serious risks and any instructions from your food safety officer taking immediate priority.
Act on every structural issue identified during your inspection
Give immediate priority to serious premises and hygiene risks
Follow all instructions and timescales given by your local authority
What does a Cleanliness & Condition score of 25 mean?
A score of 25 means that urgent improvement is necessary in the cleanliness and condition of your premises and facilities.
This is the highest possible Cleanliness & Condition component score. FSA guidance describes it as almost total non-compliance with structural food hygiene requirements, with imminent and serious risks potentially identified.
At this level, serious problems may exist across the cleanliness, condition, layout or facilities of the premises. Immediate and significant action is required in respect of serious risks, with all other structural matters addressed within any timescales given by your local authority.
Almost total structural non-compliance has been identified
Score 25 represents the most serious level of non-compliance within this component. FSA guidance describes almost total failure to meet legal requirements relating to the cleanliness, condition and facilities of the premises.
Imminent and serious structural risks may be present
FSA guidance associates this score with conditions such as severe cleanliness problems, major structural defects, inadequate facilities, insufficient space to operate safely, drainage or hot-water problems, widespread pest infestation or wholly unsatisfactory waste arrangements.
Your inspection findings and instructions now take priority. A Score 25 tells you the seriousness of the structural non-compliance, but not the exact problems found at your premises. Follow your inspection report, letter and any instructions from your food safety officer, particularly where immediate action or specific deadlines have been given.
What should you do now?
At Score 25, your inspection findings and any instructions from your food safety officer must take priority. Serious structural or premises risks require immediate attention, with all other identified non-compliances addressed within the timescales you have been given.
Follow your inspection findings and instructions
Work through the inspection report, letter and any instructions issued by your local authority. Make sure every cleanliness, structural, repair, facility, pest, waste or other premises issue identified is understood, allocated for action and not overlooked.
Act immediately on serious structural risks
Give immediate priority to any premises conditions presenting serious risks to health or preventing food from being handled in hygienic conditions. Follow any specific instructions given by your food safety officer without delay.
Correct the underlying structural failures
At this level, the problems are unlikely to be limited to one isolated defect. Review cleaning arrangements, maintenance and repairs, washing facilities, hot water and drainage, layout, pest proofing and waste arrangements wherever these have been identified as deficient.
Check that corrective work is effective and maintained
Once work has been completed, inspect the premises again during normal operation. Keep appropriate evidence of repairs, cleaning and other completed work, and make sure the serious conditions identified have not continued or returned.
