Almost 90 per cent of businesses in Leeds have been rated as 'good' or 'very good' by food safety inspectors, a new study has shown.
A report by Ilkley-based training provider High Speed Training has shown, on average, 88.25 per cent of businesses in the city were given a food hygiene standards rating of four or five-stars after their most recent assessment. The report analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for over 230,000 food businesses in the UK, 1,958 of which are based in Leeds.
It found the average food hygiene ratings for businesses in Leeds is currently 4.47 out of five. That is slightly below the Yorkshire-wide average of 4.51. Neighbouring Harrogate topped the table in Yorkshire with an average score of 4.72.
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A similar report in 2019, undertaken by the same firm, calculated Yorkshire's score at 4.38, showing that food hygiene standards have improved across the region since.
But 21.17 per cent of takeaways or sandwich shops in Leeds were given a measly score of three stars or less. Pubs, bars or nightclubs fared far better in the city with 94.77 per cent given a score of four or five. Overall, Leeds was ranked 9th (out of 13) for food hygiene ratings when compared to the rest of Yorkshire.
The full Yorkshire-wide table is below:
- Harrogate - 4.72 average rating from 309 businesses;
- Kingston upon Hull - 4.64 average rating from 925 businesses;
- Barnsley - 4.63 average rating from 379 businesses;
- Ripon - 4.61 average rating from 59 businesses;
- Rotherham - 4.61 average rating from 329 businesses;
- Wakefield - 4.61 average rating from 457 businesses;
- York - 4.55 average rating from 876 businesses;
- Sheffield - 4.49 average rating from 1,945 businesses;
- Leeds - 4.47 average rating from 1,958 businesses;
- Doncaster - 4.42 average rating from 585 businesses;
- Bradford - 4.27 average rating from 1,151 businesses;
- Huddersfield - 4.24 average rating from 710 businesses;
- Halifax - 4.22 average rating from 402 businesses.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales & Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to provide customers with information as to how well a business is upholding food hygiene and safety standards. Following regular inspections, ratings are devised based on the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises & facilities and food safety management practices.
These ratings are then made available on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website and are usually visible from outside of the premises, often presented in a window near the entrance. In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is compulsory for businesses to display their food hygiene rating. However, in England it is currently just considered best practice.
