Food Hygiene Ratings in Babergh

867 food businesses inspected. Average rating: 4.8 out of 5. 86.3% rated "very good".

867
Businesses
4.8/5
Average Rating
12
Rated 0 or 1
86.3%
Rated 5/5

Rating distribution

Very Good86.3%688
Good8.0%64
Satisfactory3.3%26
Improvement Needed0.9%7
Major Improvement1.1%9
Urgent Improvement0.4%3

Business types

Retailers - other16719.3%
Other catering premises16519.0%
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen15618.0%
Pub/bar/nightclub9310.7%
Caring Premises627.2%
School/college/university617.0%
Mobile caterer495.7%
Takeaway/sandwich shop455.2%

Food hygiene ratings in Babergh are assessed under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), operated by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities. Every food business that handles, stores, prepares, or sells food is inspected by trained environmental health officers. Ratings run from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). The inspection covers hygienic food handling, the physical condition of the premises, and how food safety is managed.

Babergh currently has 867 registered food businesses. Of these, 797 have been rated under the FHRS. The area performs well above the national average, with 86.3% of businesses achieving the top rating of 5. The average rating across the authority is 4.8 out of 5. There are currently 12 businesses rated 0 or 1, meaning they require urgent or major improvement to meet food hygiene standards.

If you are eating out in this area, look for the green FHRS sticker displayed at the entrance of food premises. Businesses rated 3 or above are generally considered satisfactory, but a rating of 5 gives the strongest assurance. If a business has a low rating, it does not necessarily mean the food is unsafe right now, as improvements may have been made since the last inspection, but it does indicate that significant issues were found.

Data last updated: March 14, 2026

Lowest rated establishments

NameAddressRatingDate
Boxford StoresCO10 5NZ0Feb 11, 2026
Spar HadleighIP7 5DB0Nov 04, 2024
Tacos El Catrin0Nov 27, 2025
Azure Paradise ChineseCO10 0LH1Oct 22, 2025
BudgensCO10 9JG1Jun 04, 2025
Cornard United Football ClubCO10 0NL1Mar 11, 2025
Hank Marvin1Mar 24, 2025
Howe and Co Fish and ChipsCO101Jan 15, 2025
Jasmine House Chinese TakeawayIP7 5DY1Jun 11, 2025
North street shop LtdCO10 1RE1Jul 02, 2025
Poli deli kajtusCO10 1JL1Apr 25, 2025
The White Horse InnIP9 2NU1Jul 16, 2025
A Slice of New YorkCO10 2AA2Mar 11, 2025
Ballingdon shop LtdCO10 2DA2Jan 16, 2025
Cock & BellCO10 9JR2Aug 12, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many restaurants in Babergh have a 5 rating?+

There are currently 688 food businesses in Babergh with the highest FHRS rating of 5 (Very Good), representing 86.3% of all rated establishments. A rating of 5 means that the business was found to have very good hygiene standards at the time of inspection.

What does a food hygiene rating of 1 mean in Babergh?+

A food hygiene rating of 1 means 'Major Improvement Necessary'. This indicates that the food business was found to have significant problems with hygiene standards during its most recent inspection. The business is required to make substantial improvements. While it can remain open, it should be re-inspected to confirm improvements have been made.

How often are food businesses inspected in Babergh?+

Inspection frequency in Babergh depends on the risk level of the business. High-risk establishments (such as those with previous low ratings) may be inspected every 6 months, while low-risk businesses with a consistent rating of 5 may only be inspected every 2-3 years. The local authority's environmental health team manages the inspection schedule.

Data from official government food safety agencies