(Image: NQ)
Food reviewer and YouTube celebrity Danny Malin has given an important update on zero-rated food hygiene inspections.
Danny, the former host of the YouTube series Rate My Takeaway, discussed the ratings system in a video on his new YouTube channel Danny vs Food.
The reviewer, who worked at a butchers in Leeds Kirkgate Market before embarking on his online career, explained that he used to be a food hygiene consultant.
He spoke out while reviewing a fish and chip shop in Birmingham which had reviewed a zero stars food hygiene rating.
Danny said: 'What really does my head in is we've got all these places that have got a zero hygiene rating or one hygiene rating.
"Now, years ago, it's done by a local authority. They would come out, they would assess the the full business.
"They would issue them with the score and an improvement notice on what to do,.
And then you could request for them to come back. Might take a bit of time, but they come back.
"Now, it's all turned into a money game because you can now request it, but you have to pay.
And this is where it gets a little bit confusing for me because I'm now talking on behalf of all the small businesses."
Talking about the fast food outlet he was reviewing, Danny said: "There's a reason why I've come here, right? This place was given at that rating in December 2025. These guys were given 'urgent improvement necessary'.
"Now, as far as I can see, I don't think anybody's been back. They've obviously not paid to have a revisit.
What's going on?
"So, what's going on here? Do the local authority have a duty of care to back within a certain time frame?
"Now, I've been digging and digging and I found some some bits where it said that if somebody gets a one [star rating], they should be revisited between 6 and 9 months just to make sure that they're complying with what's been done.
"Obviously, this place, you know, it's on the cusp of that, but we're just about there. So, they are due to be revisited.
"Looking at it and just the experience of ordering there. There is definitely some kind of communication barrier. So these guys do they know what they need to do to get things up to scratch? I'm not sure they do."
Food hygiene ratings are designed to give customers reassurance about the standards of their favourite food outlets.
A zero food hygiene rating means urgent improvement is required. A business will receive a detailed corrective report from the Food Standards Agency or local council environmental health officer. It can legally keep trading unless an immediate closure notice is served for severe health risks, but a score will be published online after an appeal window.
The T&A regularly carries stories about food hygiene ratings.
You can watch Danny's latest video here
Re-inspection charges
Not every local authority charges for a re-inspection.
However, in Bradford a targeted return visit to get a new rating after making improvements costs £280 per request.
What happens if a food outlet receives a low rating?
A food hygiene rating of 0 is the lowest possible score under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS). The official description is "Urgent Improvement Necessary", and it signals that Environmental Health Officers found serious failings across one or more of the three inspection areas: food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises, and confidence in management systems.
A zero is not the same as a 1 or 2. It means the inspector judged there was an imminent risk to public health. The local authority is already deciding what enforcement action to take. It is not a "fix it when you get the time" situation.
The Enforcement Timeline
Within days: An outlet will receive a written report detailing every non-compliance found. This is not advisory — it is a formal record that may be used in enforcement proceedings. The report will specify which issues must be resolved immediately and which require action within a set timeframe (usually 7–14 days for critical failures, up to 28 days for structural issues).
Environmental Health Officers may offer guidance on how to fix things, but they are under no obligation to do so.
Formal action: If improvements are not made, or if the risk is judged to be imminent, a local authority can issue a Hygiene Improvement Notice (HIN). This is a legal document requiring specific actions within a set period. Failure to comply is a criminal offence carrying fines of up to £5,000 per notice.
Emergency action: In the most serious cases — such as evidence of pest infestation, sewage contamination, or complete absence of temperature controls — the local authority can apply for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice. This closes a business immediately. It cannot re-open until a court is decides there is no more risk.
Prosecution: Persistent non-compliance can lead to prosecution under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. Penalties include unlimited fines and, in extreme cases, imprisonment for up to two years.
How does it affect a business?
Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats — all require at least a 2. A business with a lower rating is removed .
Consumers can check hygiene ratings before trying somewhere new.
Insurance and finance: Some business insurance policies include food safety compliance clauses. A 0 rating may void cover.