Food Hygiene Ratings in Epping Forest

1,016 food businesses inspected. Average rating: 4.7 out of 5. 82.8% rated "very good".

1,016
Businesses
4.7/5
Average Rating
9
Rated 0 or 1
82.8%
Rated 5/5

Rating distribution

Very Good82.8%747
Good11.6%105
Satisfactory3.9%35
Improvement Needed0.7%6
Major Improvement1.0%9
Urgent Improvement0.0%0

Business types

Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen24023.6%
Retailers - other18117.8%
Pub/bar/nightclub13613.4%
Other catering premises12612.4%
Mobile caterer706.9%
School/college/university646.3%
Takeaway/sandwich shop585.7%
Caring Premises363.5%

Food hygiene ratings in Epping Forest 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.

Epping Forest currently has 1,016 registered food businesses. Of these, 902 have been rated under the FHRS. The area performs well above the national average, with 82.8% of businesses achieving the top rating of 5. The average rating across the authority is 4.7 out of 5. There are currently 9 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
Bertie’s DeliIG10 3TZ1Sep 05, 2025
Handy Stores PremierCM16 7RE1Dec 08, 2025
Loughton Food & WineIG10 2RS1Jun 02, 2025
Metro Superstore LtdIG8 8AU1Aug 12, 2024
Nisa WisebuysCM5 0AJ1Jun 09, 2025
The CorianderCM16 4BL1Nov 06, 2025
The Epping Forest CafeCM16 5HW1Aug 11, 2025
The StandardIG10 4BE1Nov 07, 2025
Waltham Abbey Driving RangeEN9 1JH1Jun 09, 2025
Cafe MioCM16 4BD2Oct 17, 2024
Nazeing Golf ClubEN9 2LW2Oct 10, 2024
Next Thing Education Camps LtdIG10 3HE2Apr 10, 2025
PearlysEN9 1EE2Aug 07, 2025
The Tea & Cake ShopCM17 9LD2Nov 24, 2025
The Woodbine PHEN9 3QT2Sep 11, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many restaurants in Epping Forest have a 5 rating?+

There are currently 747 food businesses in Epping Forest with the highest FHRS rating of 5 (Very Good), representing 82.8% 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 Epping Forest?+

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 Epping Forest?+

Inspection frequency in Epping Forest 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