More than 7,000 takeaways and 8,000 restaurants across the UK have failed food hygiene inspections, according to a Guardian analysis of Food Standards Agency (FSA) data. The study of over 460,000 food businesses found that nearly 30,000 (6.4%) received a failing grade, with takeaways and sandwich shops performing worst—15% failed.
The FSA rates establishments from zero to five; scores of zero to two are considered failures. About 1,400 businesses currently hold a zero rating, meaning they 'urgently require improvement'. Scotland uses a different system, with 'improvement required' as a failing grade.
Hygiene standards vary dramatically by area. Newham in east London had the highest proportion of takeaways failing (50.4%), followed by Epsom and Ewell (46.2%), Edinburgh (38.2%), Manchester (34%), Birmingham (33.8%) and Islington (32.2%). Newham also had the worst overall results in London, with 26% of all food businesses scoring zero to two.
In contrast, the best-performing areas include the Orkney Islands, north Devon, South Ayrshire, Torridge, Harrogate, Cannock Chase, west Dorset, Suffolk coastal, Anglesey and Daventry. Schools, colleges and universities had the highest pass rates, with less than 1% failing.
Only 73 businesses nationwide achieved the worst possible score (zero overall) while also receiving maximum marks for hygiene concerns. Of these, 35 are in Birmingham. Several branches of large chains, including a Chopstix Noodle Bar and a Poundbakery/Poundcafe in Liverpool, currently hold zero ratings, though they have since addressed issues and await reassessment.
Businesses are not required to display hygiene scores in England and Scotland, but Wales made display mandatory in 2013, leading to significant improvements. Northern Ireland will introduce a similar policy on 7 October.
