Frequently Asked Questions

What do the ratings 0-5 mean?
  • 0 = Urgent improvement needed
  • 1 = Major improvement needed
  • 2 = Improvement needed
  • 3 = Generally satisfactory
  • 4 = Good
  • 5 = Very good
What does "Exempt" mean?

Certain categories of establishments are exempt from the rating system. We have requested elaboration from the government and will expand on this answer in due course.

What does "Awaiting Inspection" mean?

New business or reinspection pending. May resolve within weeks, not months.

What's "Awaiting Publication"?

Inspection completed, rating assigned, but not yet published online.

Why haven't some places been inspected in 2+ years?

Resource constraints, administrative backlogs or establishments being deprioritized.

Can I request an inspection of a specific establishment?

Yes, contact the local Environmental Health Officer for that Council area.

How current is this data?

Updated daily from the Food Standards Agency database.

Why might ratings shown here differ from what's displayed at the establishment?

Time lag between inspection, rating assignment and publication. Always check the inspection date.

Can I download the data?

Yes, CSV exports are available for analysis and research. See our Contact page.

Which councils cover which areas?

The 11 Northern Ireland Councils & Coverage Areas:

  1. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
    - Antrim, Newtownabbey, Crumlin, Randalstown, Toome
  2. Ards and North Down Borough Council
    - Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood, Portaferry
  3. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
    - Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Lurgan, Portadown, Tandragee
  4. Belfast City Council
    - Belfast city and immediate suburbs
  5. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
    - Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Limavady, Portrush, Portstewart
  6. Derry City and Strabane District Council
    - Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Sion Mills
  1. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
    - Enniskillen, Omagh, Lisnaskea, Irvinestown
  2. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
    - Lisburn, Castlereagh, Hillsborough, Moira, Carryduff
  3. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
    - Ballymena, Larne, Carrickfergus, Whitehead
  4. Mid Ulster District Council
    - Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Coalisland
  5. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
    - Newry, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Kilkeel, Warrenpoint

Coverage Note: These boundaries were established in the 2015 local government reform, combining what were previously 26 district councils into these 11 "super-councils."

Are 4 and 5-rated establishments always safe?

Ratings reflect conditions at inspection time. Standards can change between inspections.

Which council has the best overall ratings?

Visit our Dashboard and use our Interactive Filters - e.g. Select a Council, Select a Business Type (or take all), Select a Rating (or take all), Click the Filtered Data tab.

Why do some establishments show no rating?

New businesses, exempt establishments, or data processing delays.

Where does this data come from?

Direct from the Food Standards Agency's public FHRS API, updated daily.

Why build this site when the official FSA site exists?

Better analysis, Council comparisons, overdue inspection tracking and statistical insights.