UK Food Hygiene Ratings: Statistics
As of July 2026, the average food hygiene rating across England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 4.65 out of 5, computed from 485,459 rated establishments on the Food Standards Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme register.
Last updated 2 July 2026 · Source: Food Standards Agency (FHRS) open data · ratings.food.gov.uk
The headline numbers
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, rating food businesses from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). Across the 485,459 establishments currently holding a numeric rating, the average is 4.65 out of 5.
78.2% of rated food businesses hold the top rating of 5, and 91.4% are rated 4 or higher — the "good" and "very good" bands the FSA advises consumers to look for. At the other end, 3.0% score below 3, the ratings at which the FSA judges that improvement is necessary.
A further 40,952 premises on the register are awaiting their first inspection and 24,187 are exempt (typically low-risk businesses such as newsagents or childminders), so they do not carry a numeric score. Scotland runs a separate scheme and is reported below.
How UK food hygiene ratings are distributed
The share of rated establishments at each rating, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Rating | Meaning | Establishments | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Very good | 379,486 | 78.2% |
| 4 | Good | 64,388 | 13.3% |
| 3 | Generally satisfactory | 27,032 | 5.6% |
| 2 | Improvement necessary | 7,084 | 1.5% |
| 1 | Major improvement necessary | 6,599 | 1.4% |
| 0 | Urgent improvement necessary | 870 | 0.2% |
Percentages are of the 485,459 establishments holding a numeric rating.
Food hygiene ratings by business type
Average rating and the share holding a 5, by the FSA's business-type categories. Schools and care premises score highest; takeaways and sandwich shops sit lowest on average.
| Business type | Rated | Avg | % rated 5 | % below 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 118,339 | 4.6 | 75.3% | 3.5% |
| Retailers - other | 87,978 | 4.51 | 71.3% | 5.2% |
| Other catering premises | 55,336 | 4.85 | 88.9% | 1.0% |
| Takeaway/sandwich shop | 52,297 | 4.33 | 61.0% | 5.7% |
| Pub/bar/nightclub | 44,058 | 4.66 | 76.8% | 2.3% |
| Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 35,853 | 4.84 | 88.1% | 0.7% |
| School/college/university | 31,294 | 4.9 | 92.0% | 0.4% |
| Mobile caterer | 23,423 | 4.82 | 88.2% | 1.3% |
| Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 14,229 | 4.79 | 87.4% | 2.1% |
| Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 10,936 | 4.79 | 85.2% | 1.2% |
| Manufacturers/packers | 7,613 | 4.76 | 84.2% | 1.9% |
| Distributors/Transporters | 2,529 | 4.76 | 84.9% | 1.9% |
| Farmers/growers | 1,183 | 4.88 | 90.6% | 0.3% |
Food hygiene ratings by region
Average rating by region, highest first. Regional differences are modest but consistent — the South West and Northern Ireland lead; London has the lowest average and the highest share below 3.
| Region | Rated | Avg | % rated 5 | % below 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 15,432 | 4.77 | 83.5% | 1.2% |
| South West | 46,640 | 4.77 | 84.5% | 1.7% |
| East Midlands | 38,917 | 4.74 | 83.6% | 2.1% |
| North East | 20,682 | 4.74 | 83.4% | 2.0% |
| East Counties | 47,610 | 4.73 | 81.8% | 1.9% |
| South East | 70,936 | 4.71 | 81.2% | 2.1% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 44,025 | 4.66 | 78.3% | 2.7% |
| Wales | 30,360 | 4.63 | 75.6% | 2.4% |
| North West | 57,131 | 4.58 | 75.1% | 4.0% |
| West Midlands | 42,841 | 4.57 | 75.0% | 4.4% |
| London | 70,885 | 4.46 | 68.3% | 5.5% |
Local authorities: where 5 ratings are most and least common
The tables below rank local authorities by the share of their rated establishments holding a 5. To keep the comparison fair, only authorities with at least 200 rated establishments are included. A lower share reflects many factors — local business mix, inspection cadence and deprivation among them — and is not a judgement on any individual business.
Highest share of 5-rated businesses
| # | Local authority | % rated 5 | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bassetlaw · East Midlands | 97.6% | 4.96 |
| 2 | Wrexham · Wales | 96.1% | 4.94 |
| 3 | Dorset · South West | 95.5% | 4.94 |
| 4 | Thanet · South East | 95.5% | 4.93 |
| 5 | Stockton On Tees · North East | 95.0% | 4.93 |
| 6 | Ipswich · East Counties | 94.8% | 4.93 |
| 7 | Forest of Dean · South West | 94.7% | 4.94 |
| 8 | Chichester · South East | 94.6% | 4.92 |
| 9 | South Ribble · North West | 94.3% | 4.9 |
| 10 | West Oxfordshire · South East | 94.2% | 4.92 |
| 11 | Redcar and Cleveland · North East | 93.9% | 4.91 |
| 12 | Lincoln City · East Midlands | 93.5% | 4.89 |
| 13 | Cotswold · South West | 93.2% | 4.91 |
| 14 | North Kesteven · East Midlands | 93.0% | 4.92 |
| 15 | Harborough · East Midlands | 92.9% | 4.91 |
| 16 | Mid and East Antrim · Northern Ireland | 92.6% | 4.9 |
| 17 | Fenland · East Counties | 92.4% | 4.88 |
| 18 | Castle Point · East Counties | 92.1% | 4.88 |
| 19 | Tandridge · South East | 91.9% | 4.85 |
| 20 | Chelmsford · East Counties | 91.8% | 4.88 |
Lowest share of 5-rated businesses
| # | Local authority | % rated 5 | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newham · London | 49.4% | 3.94 |
| 2 | Blaenau Gwent · Wales | 50.3% | 4.22 |
| 3 | Waltham Forest · London | 51.1% | 3.99 |
| 4 | Wigan · North West | 53.8% | 4.19 |
| 5 | Barking and Dagenham · London | 54.8% | 4.18 |
| 6 | Bolton · North West | 55.1% | 4.18 |
| 7 | Walsall · West Midlands | 57.9% | 4.25 |
| 8 | Merthyr Tydfil · Wales | 58.1% | 4.39 |
| 9 | Ealing · London | 58.3% | 4.17 |
| 10 | Enfield · London | 58.9% | 4.25 |
| 11 | Camden · London | 59.3% | 4.24 |
| 12 | Barnet · London | 60.4% | 4.38 |
| 13 | Slough · South East | 60.4% | 4.39 |
| 14 | Harrow · London | 61.4% | 4.38 |
| 15 | Lambeth · London | 61.5% | 4.35 |
| 16 | Dudley · West Midlands | 62.1% | 4.4 |
| 17 | Lewisham · London | 62.1% | 4.42 |
| 18 | Wyre · North West | 62.6% | 4.38 |
| 19 | Caerphilly · Wales | 63.0% | 4.4 |
| 20 | Hyndburn · North West | 63.0% | 4.47 |
Scotland: a different scheme
Scotland does not use the 0–5 scale. Its Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) awards a "Pass" or "Improvement Required" result, so Scottish premises are not included in the UK average above.
Across 46,418 assessed Scottish establishments, 92.5% hold a Pass and 7.5% are marked Improvement Required, out of 58,639 on the register in total.
Every local authority
The full table of all 363 local authorities on the register. FHRS authorities show an average rating; Scottish (FHIS) authorities show their Pass rate instead.
Show all 363 local authorities
| Local authority | Region | Establishments | Avg / Pass | % rated 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | Scotland | 2,255 | 82.9% pass | — |
| Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 2,775 | 91.9% pass | — |
| Adur | South East | 466 | 4.81 | 89.7% |
| Amber Valley | East Midlands | 1,093 | 4.74 | 81.6% |
| Anglesey | Wales | 760 | 4.84 | 89.6% |
| Angus | Scotland | 1,045 | 93.3% pass | — |
| Antrim and Newtownabbey | Northern Ireland | 1,101 | 4.82 | 86.0% |
| Ards and North Down | Northern Ireland | 1,272 | 4.77 | 82.2% |
| Argyll and Bute | Scotland | 1,274 | 94.0% pass | — |
| Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | Northern Ireland | 1,884 | 4.78 | 83.2% |
| Arun | South East | 1,340 | 4.74 | 83.8% |
| Ashfield | East Midlands | 946 | 4.57 | 78.3% |
| Ashford | South East | 1,261 | 4.85 | 89.4% |
| Babergh | East Counties | 881 | 4.77 | 86.2% |
| Barking and Dagenham | London | 1,438 | 4.18 | 54.8% |
| Barnet | London | 2,863 | 4.38 | 60.4% |
| Barnsley | Yorkshire and Humberside | 1,903 | 4.7 | 83.5% |
| Basildon | East Counties | 1,383 | 4.68 | 80.1% |
| Basingstoke and Deane | South East | 1,283 | 4.65 | 74.7% |
| Bassetlaw | East Midlands | 1,093 | 4.96 | 97.6% |
| Bath and North East Somerset | South West | 1,841 | 4.57 | 72.4% |
| Bedford | East Counties | 1,662 | 4.73 | 81.6% |
| Belfast City | Northern Ireland | 3,167 | 4.59 | 72.4% |
| Bexley | London | 1,760 | 4.55 | 71.6% |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | 10,140 | 4.29 | 65.0% |
| Blaby | East Midlands | 681 | 4.73 | 82.1% |
| Blackburn | North West | 1,312 | 4.32 | 68.4% |
| Blackpool | North West | 1,683 | 4.66 | 79.1% |
| Blaenau Gwent | Wales | 664 | 4.22 | 50.3% |
| Bolsover | East Midlands | 744 | 4.77 | 85.9% |
| Bolton | North West | 2,384 | 4.18 | 55.1% |
| Boston | East Midlands | 640 | 4.8 | 88.4% |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | South West | 3,509 | 4.82 | 87.8% |
| Bracknell Forest | South East | 783 | 4.75 | 83.2% |
| Bradford | Yorkshire and Humberside | 4,624 | 4.56 | 71.9% |
| Braintree | East Counties | 1,263 | 4.78 | 84.7% |
| Breckland | East Counties | 1,261 | 4.78 | 86.0% |
| Brent | London | 2,484 | 4.56 | 74.3% |
| Brentwood | East Counties | 752 | 4.74 | 83.0% |
| Bridgend | Wales | 1,354 | 4.62 | 72.6% |
| Brighton and Hove | South East | 3,011 | 4.74 | 82.0% |
| Bristol | South West | 4,452 | 4.65 | 76.3% |
| Broadland | East Counties | 958 | 4.82 | 87.3% |
| Bromley | London | 2,456 | 4.67 | 77.5% |
| Bromsgrove | West Midlands | 751 | 4.73 | 80.8% |
| Broxbourne | East Counties | 844 | 4.87 | 90.4% |
| Broxtowe | East Midlands | 820 | 4.66 | 77.5% |
| Buckinghamshire | South East | 4,611 | 4.72 | 80.7% |
| Burnley | North West | 883 | 4.56 | 69.8% |
| Bury | North West | 1,232 | 4.54 | 74.8% |
| Caerphilly | Wales | 1,536 | 4.4 | 63.0% |
| Calderdale | Yorkshire and Humberside | 1,901 | 4.58 | 75.5% |
| Cambridge City | East Counties | 1,465 | 4.67 | 77.5% |
| Camden | London | 4,297 | 4.24 | 59.3% |
| Cannock Chase | West Midlands | 835 | 4.79 | 86.0% |
| Canterbury City | South East | 1,652 | 4.67 | 78.2% |
| Cardiff | Wales | 3,439 | 4.53 | 69.9% |
| Carmarthenshire | Wales | 2,162 | 4.77 | 83.0% |
| Castle Point | East Counties | 536 | 4.88 | 92.1% |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | Northern Ireland | 1,458 | 4.85 | 89.0% |
| Central Bedfordshire | East Counties | 1,709 | 4.66 | 76.0% |
| Ceredigion | Wales | 1,081 | 4.56 | 72.6% |
| Charnwood | East Midlands | 1,488 | 4.68 | 79.6% |
| Chelmsford | East Counties | 1,600 | 4.88 | 91.8% |
| Cheltenham | South West | 1,086 | 4.86 | 89.2% |
| Cherwell | South East | 1,324 | 4.7 | 80.2% |
| Cheshire East | North West | 3,090 | 4.83 | 89.4% |
| Cheshire West and Chester | North West | 2,973 | 4.68 | 80.3% |
| Chesterfield | East Midlands | 951 | 4.81 | 87.5% |
| Chichester | South East | 1,432 | 4.92 | 94.6% |
| Chorley | North West | 978 | 4.82 | 87.7% |
| City of London Corporation | London | 1,803 | 4.79 | 87.9% |
| Clackmannanshire | Scotland | 504 | 91.8% pass | — |
| Colchester | East Counties | 1,651 | 4.82 | 89.0% |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles) | Scotland | 572 | 97.9% pass | — |
| Conwy | Wales | 1,582 | 4.75 | 83.0% |
| Cornwall | South West | 5,318 | 4.76 | 84.4% |
| Cotswold | South West | 1,102 | 4.91 | 93.2% |
| Coventry | West Midlands | 3,079 | 4.66 | 77.4% |
| Crawley | South East | 951 | 4.84 | 89.7% |
| Croydon | London | 3,152 | 4.48 | 64.7% |
| Cumberland | North West | 2,748 | 4.77 | 83.9% |
| Dacorum | East Counties | 1,262 | 4.69 | 76.9% |
| Darlington | North East | 913 | 4.84 | 90.2% |
| Dartford | South East | 1,067 | 4.65 | 77.6% |
| Denbighshire | Wales | 1,151 | 4.69 | 80.6% |
| Derby City | East Midlands | 2,302 | 4.56 | 73.4% |
| Derbyshire Dales | East Midlands | 904 | 4.43 | 64.2% |
| Derry City and Strabane | Northern Ireland | 1,342 | 4.7 | 76.1% |
| Doncaster | Yorkshire and Humberside | 2,826 | 4.53 | 72.8% |
| Dorset | South West | 5,107 | 4.94 | 95.5% |
| Dover | South East | 1,198 | 4.71 | 82.5% |
| Dudley | West Midlands | 2,661 | 4.4 | 62.1% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | Scotland | 2,719 | 95.2% pass | — |
| Dundee City | Scotland | 1,409 | 92.8% pass | — |
| Durham | North East | 4,645 | 4.64 | 74.8% |
| Ealing | London | 3,671 | 4.17 | 58.3% |
| East Ayrshire | Scotland | 1,153 | 96.1% pass | — |
| East Cambridgeshire | East Counties | 788 | 4.72 | 83.2% |
| East Devon | South West | 1,557 | 4.74 | 84.0% |
| East Dunbartonshire | Scotland | 694 | 96.3% pass | — |
| East Hampshire | South East | 1,046 | 4.78 | 83.8% |
| East Hertfordshire | East Counties | 1,387 | 4.77 | 83.5% |
| East Lindsey | East Midlands | 2,252 | 4.82 | 88.9% |
| East Lothian | Scotland | 906 | 95.8% pass | — |
| East Renfrewshire | Scotland | 650 | 98.8% pass | — |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | Yorkshire and Humberside | 3,149 | 4.76 | 84.2% |
| East Staffordshire | West Midlands | 1,199 | 4.56 | 73.5% |
| East Suffolk | East Counties | 2,521 | 4.79 | 86.0% |
| Eastbourne | South East | 1,042 | 4.78 | 84.8% |
| Eastleigh | South East | 966 | 4.7 | 82.7% |
| Edinburgh (City of) | Scotland | 5,076 | 88.0% pass | — |
| Elmbridge | South East | 1,106 | 4.6 | 76.4% |
| Enfield | London | 2,356 | 4.25 | 58.9% |
| Epping Forest | East Counties | 1,061 | 4.74 | 83.4% |
| Epsom and Ewell | South East | 570 | 4.69 | 77.3% |
| Erewash | East Midlands | 927 | 4.83 | 88.2% |
| Exeter City | South West | 1,101 | 4.81 | 86.8% |
| Falkirk | Scotland | 1,222 | 96.8% pass | — |
| Fareham | South East | 789 | 4.8 | 86.4% |
| Fenland | East Counties | 705 | 4.88 | 92.4% |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | Northern Ireland | 1,444 | 4.78 | 84.8% |
| Fife | Scotland | 5,000 | 97.6% pass | — |
| Flintshire | Wales | 1,287 | 4.83 | 87.8% |
| Folkestone and Hythe | South East | 1,284 | 4.76 | 84.0% |
| Forest of Dean | South West | 797 | 4.94 | 94.7% |
| Fylde | North West | 841 | 4.78 | 84.4% |
| Gateshead | North East | 1,633 | 4.75 | 81.6% |
| Gedling | East Midlands | 836 | 4.87 | 91.7% |
| Glasgow City | Scotland | 6,553 | 86.9% pass | — |
| Gloucester City | South West | 1,060 | 4.73 | 81.5% |
| Gosport | South East | 600 | 4.77 | 86.1% |
| Gravesham | South East | 821 | 4.84 | 87.9% |
| Great Yarmouth | East Counties | 1,105 | 4.48 | 71.0% |
| Greenwich | London | 2,384 | 4.69 | 79.0% |
| Guildford | South East | 1,139 | 4.75 | 81.3% |
| Gwynedd | Wales | 2,105 | 4.84 | 90.3% |
| Hackney | London | 2,614 | 4.45 | 66.3% |
| Halton | North West | 900 | 4.56 | 74.8% |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | London | 1,978 | 4.65 | 77.7% |
| Harborough | East Midlands | 788 | 4.91 | 92.9% |
| Haringey | London | 1,953 | 4.66 | 78.9% |
| Harlow | East Counties | 680 | 4.72 | 81.7% |
| Harrow | London | 1,876 | 4.38 | 61.4% |
| Hart | South East | 627 | 4.8 | 84.7% |
| Hartlepool | North East | 772 | 4.88 | 90.8% |
| Hastings | South East | 927 | 4.84 | 90.8% |
| Havant | South East | 1,048 | 4.89 | 91.0% |
| Havering | London | 2,036 | 4.58 | 71.6% |
| Herefordshire | West Midlands | 1,750 | 4.67 | 77.7% |
| Hertsmere | East Counties | 837 | 4.7 | 81.0% |
| High Peak | East Midlands | 891 | 4.83 | 88.5% |
| Highland | Scotland | 5,983 | 85.6% pass | — |
| Hillingdon | London | 2,251 | 4.32 | 64.4% |
| Hinckley and Bosworth | East Midlands | 915 | 4.79 | 84.1% |
| Horsham | South East | 1,294 | 4.85 | 89.5% |
| Hounslow | London | 2,281 | 4.58 | 72.8% |
| Hull and Goole Port | Yorkshire and Humberside | 5 | 5 | 100.0% |
| Hull City | Yorkshire and Humberside | 2,273 | 4.57 | 77.8% |
| Huntingdonshire | East Counties | 1,528 | 4.59 | 70.3% |
| Hyndburn | North West | 769 | 4.47 | 63.0% |
| Inverclyde | Scotland | 628 | 93.7% pass | — |
| Ipswich | East Counties | 1,133 | 4.93 | 94.8% |
| Isle of Wight | South East | 1,679 | 4.56 | 70.5% |
| Isles of Scilly | South West | 131 | 4.87 | 90.0% |
| Islington | London | 2,539 | 4.39 | 63.6% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | London | 2,007 | 4.83 | 87.6% |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk | East Counties | 1,496 | 4.83 | 88.9% |
| Kingston-Upon-Thames | London | 1,415 | 4.57 | 73.8% |
| Kirklees | Yorkshire and Humberside | 3,817 | 4.61 | 73.5% |
| Knowsley | North West | 800 | 4.36 | 64.7% |
| Lambeth | London | 2,640 | 4.35 | 61.5% |
| Lancaster City | North West | 1,164 | 4.69 | 78.0% |
| Leeds | Yorkshire and Humberside | 7,360 | 4.67 | 74.8% |
| Leicester City | East Midlands | 3,360 | 4.52 | 72.1% |
| Lewes | South East | 966 | 4.76 | 84.9% |
| Lewisham | London | 2,450 | 4.42 | 62.1% |
| Lichfield | West Midlands | 861 | 4.66 | 75.5% |
| Lincoln City | East Midlands | 1,106 | 4.89 | 93.5% |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh City | Northern Ireland | 1,001 | 4.89 | 91.7% |
| Liverpool | North West | 4,526 | 4.39 | 67.6% |
| Luton | East Counties | 1,690 | 4.41 | 65.3% |
| Maidstone | South East | 1,459 | 4.72 | 81.2% |
| Maldon | East Counties | 677 | 4.79 | 87.3% |
| Malvern Hills | West Midlands | 708 | 4.68 | 79.4% |
| Manchester | North West | 6,341 | 4.5 | 70.9% |
| Mansfield | East Midlands | 894 | 4.79 | 87.2% |
| Medway | South East | 2,127 | 4.72 | 80.3% |
| Melton | East Midlands | 543 | 4.77 | 85.2% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | Wales | 590 | 4.39 | 58.1% |
| Merton | London | 1,527 | 4.73 | 81.0% |
| Mid and East Antrim | Northern Ireland | 1,162 | 4.9 | 92.6% |
| Mid Devon | South West | 784 | 4.73 | 85.0% |
| Mid Suffolk | East Counties | 844 | 4.77 | 85.5% |
| Mid Sussex | South East | 1,367 | 4.72 | 82.8% |
| Mid Ulster | Northern Ireland | 1,367 | 4.85 | 88.8% |
| Middlesbrough | North East | 1,151 | 4.71 | 84.1% |
| Midlothian | Scotland | 672 | 89.6% pass | — |
| Milton Keynes | South East | 2,507 | 4.68 | 77.5% |
| Mole Valley | South East | 797 | 4.86 | 91.4% |
| Monmouthshire | Wales | 933 | 4.69 | 78.4% |
| Moray | Scotland | 1,113 | 97.5% pass | — |
| Neath Port Talbot | Wales | 1,192 | 4.5 | 68.4% |
| New Forest | South East | 1,573 | 4.69 | 80.1% |
| Newark and Sherwood | East Midlands | 1,129 | 4.78 | 86.5% |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | North East | 2,696 | 4.54 | 75.0% |
| Newcastle-Under-Lyme | West Midlands | 972 | 4.77 | 87.3% |
| Newham | London | 2,664 | 3.94 | 49.4% |
| Newport | Wales | 1,346 | 4.68 | 78.3% |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | Northern Ireland | 1,719 | 4.85 | 89.3% |
| North Ayrshire | Scotland | 1,355 | 95.8% pass | — |
| North Devon | South West | 1,464 | 4.73 | 84.2% |
| North East Derbyshire | East Midlands | 808 | 4.81 | 86.3% |
| North East Lincolnshire | Yorkshire and Humberside | 1,737 | 4.75 | 84.3% |
| North Hertfordshire | East Counties | 1,116 | 4.68 | 78.1% |
| North Kesteven | East Midlands | 971 | 4.92 | 93.0% |
| North Lanarkshire | Scotland | 2,611 | 96.0% pass | — |
| North Lincolnshire | Yorkshire and Humberside | 1,472 | 4.65 | 79.4% |
| North Norfolk | East Counties | 1,508 | 4.8 | 86.0% |
| North Northamptonshire | East Midlands | 3,081 | 4.77 | 85.2% |
| North Somerset | South West | 1,668 | 4.66 | 75.0% |
| North Tyneside | North East | 1,497 | 4.79 | 86.6% |
| North Warwickshire | West Midlands | 669 | 4.7 | 80.8% |
| North West Leicestershire | East Midlands | 988 | 4.71 | 81.9% |
| North Yorkshire | Yorkshire and Humberside | 7,064 | 4.79 | 86.1% |
| Northumberland | North East | 3,464 | 4.87 | 90.5% |
| Norwich City | East Counties | 1,565 | 4.53 | 65.2% |
| Nottingham City | East Midlands | 3,015 | 4.83 | 89.9% |
| Nuneaton and Bedworth | West Midlands | 908 | 4.74 | 84.1% |
| Oadby and Wigston | East Midlands | 400 | 4.75 | 82.3% |
| Oldham | North West | 1,939 | 4.56 | 75.0% |
| Orkney Islands | Scotland | 463 | 95.9% pass | — |
| Oxford City | South East | 1,546 | 4.8 | 87.3% |
| Pembrokeshire | Wales | 2,314 | 4.68 | 78.3% |
| Pendle | North West | 808 | 4.49 | 70.7% |
| Perth and Kinross | Scotland | 1,986 | 97.7% pass | — |
| Peterborough City | East Counties | 1,972 | 4.83 | 88.3% |
| Plymouth City | South West | 1,794 | 4.61 | 78.0% |
| Portsmouth | South East | 1,813 | 4.37 | 64.1% |
| Powys | Wales | 2,640 | 4.63 | 74.3% |
| Preston | North West | 1,627 | 4.69 | 78.7% |
| Reading | South East | 1,518 | 4.38 | 64.7% |
| Redbridge | London | 2,141 | 4.35 | 65.8% |
| Redcar and Cleveland | North East | 1,232 | 4.91 | 93.9% |
| Redditch | West Midlands | 492 | 4.6 | 75.3% |
| Reigate and Banstead | South East | 1,094 | 4.53 | 72.9% |
| Renfrewshire | Scotland | 1,473 | 98.9% pass | — |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | 2,029 | 4.49 | 66.1% |
| Ribble Valley | North West | 648 | 4.83 | 87.1% |
| Richmond-Upon-Thames | London | 1,554 | 4.58 | 72.6% |
| River Tees | North East | 3 | 5 | 100.0% |
| Rochdale | North West | 1,885 | 4.48 | 72.6% |
| Rochford | East Counties | 700 | 4.7 | 82.6% |
| Rossendale | North West | 701 | 4.76 | 86.3% |
| Rother | South East | 1,024 | 4.83 | 86.8% |
| Rotherham | Yorkshire and Humberside | 2,171 | 4.83 | 88.8% |
| Rugby | West Midlands | 951 | 4.51 | 73.0% |
| Runnymede | South East | 689 | 4.74 | 82.9% |
| Rushcliffe | East Midlands | 932 | 4.73 | 82.9% |
| Rushmoor | South East | 700 | 4.54 | 72.1% |
| Rutland | East Midlands | 458 | 4.8 | 84.6% |
| Salford | North West | 2,089 | 4.41 | 64.9% |
| Sandwell | West Midlands | 2,656 | 4.46 | 66.1% |
| Scottish Borders | Scotland | 1,652 | 95.0% pass | — |
| Sefton | North West | 2,385 | 4.77 | 84.3% |
| Sevenoaks | South East | 953 | 4.67 | 78.0% |
| Sheffield | Yorkshire and Humberside | 4,868 | 4.6 | 74.5% |
| Shetland Islands | Scotland | 278 | 83.4% pass | — |
| Shropshire | West Midlands | 3,107 | 4.81 | 87.8% |
| Slough | South East | 998 | 4.39 | 60.4% |
| Solihull | West Midlands | 1,395 | 4.62 | 78.6% |
| Somerset | South West | 6,061 | 4.83 | 87.6% |
| South Ayrshire | Scotland | 1,037 | 98.9% pass | — |
| South Cambridgeshire | East Counties | 1,315 | 4.81 | 86.8% |
| South Derbyshire | East Midlands | 858 | 4.81 | 86.5% |
| South Gloucestershire | South West | 2,082 | 4.75 | 83.8% |
| South Hams | South West | 1,112 | 4.86 | 90.5% |
| South Holland | East Midlands | 795 | 4.81 | 86.5% |
| South Kesteven | East Midlands | 1,172 | 4.73 | 83.5% |
| South Lanarkshire | Scotland | 2,473 | 87.7% pass | — |
| South Norfolk | East Counties | 1,108 | 4.76 | 84.1% |
| South Oxfordshire | South East | 1,246 | 4.57 | 71.2% |
| South Ribble | North West | 823 | 4.9 | 94.3% |
| South Staffordshire | West Midlands | 738 | 4.79 | 86.4% |
| South Tyneside | North East | 1,043 | 4.61 | 73.8% |
| Southampton | South East | 1,706 | 4.5 | 67.9% |
| Southend-On-Sea | East Counties | 1,489 | 4.52 | 70.2% |
| Southwark | London | 3,206 | 4.58 | 71.9% |
| Spelthorne | South East | 775 | 4.67 | 77.9% |
| St Albans City | East Counties | 1,163 | 4.67 | 77.5% |
| St Helens | North West | 1,367 | 4.53 | 71.9% |
| Stafford | West Midlands | 1,134 | 4.71 | 79.5% |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | West Midlands | 860 | 4.75 | 84.8% |
| Stevenage | East Counties | 694 | 4.81 | 88.4% |
| Stirling | Scotland | 1,253 | 92.9% pass | — |
| Stockport | North West | 2,729 | 4.73 | 81.5% |
| Stockton On Tees | North East | 1,557 | 4.93 | 95.0% |
| Stoke-On-Trent | West Midlands | 2,279 | 4.65 | 78.4% |
| Stratford-on-Avon | West Midlands | 1,362 | 4.79 | 85.8% |
| Stroud | South West | 1,077 | 4.7 | 80.0% |
| Sunderland | North East | 2,311 | 4.74 | 84.1% |
| Surrey Heath | South East | 679 | 4.65 | 77.2% |
| Sutton | London | 1,309 | 4.56 | 74.7% |
| Swale | South East | 1,224 | 4.74 | 82.7% |
| Swansea | Wales | 2,432 | 4.53 | 68.7% |
| Swindon | South West | 1,636 | 4.74 | 82.8% |
| Tameside | North West | 1,651 | 4.57 | 73.3% |
| Tamworth | West Midlands | 553 | 4.79 | 85.9% |
| Tandridge | South East | 708 | 4.85 | 91.9% |
| Teignbridge | South West | 1,322 | 4.82 | 89.4% |
| Telford and Wrekin Council | West Midlands | 1,456 | 4.75 | 85.3% |
| Tendring | East Counties | 1,280 | 4.46 | 67.0% |
| Test Valley | South East | 1,081 | 4.84 | 88.8% |
| Tewkesbury | South West | 792 | 4.8 | 86.7% |
| Thanet | South East | 1,555 | 4.93 | 95.5% |
| Three Rivers | East Counties | 638 | 4.77 | 82.5% |
| Thurrock | East Counties | 1,292 | 4.59 | 71.1% |
| Tonbridge and Malling | South East | 1,044 | 4.7 | 79.2% |
| Torbay | South West | 1,515 | 4.66 | 80.5% |
| Torfaen | Wales | 780 | 4.53 | 71.7% |
| Torridge | South West | 776 | 4.76 | 84.7% |
| Tower Hamlets | London | 3,161 | 4.53 | 72.4% |
| Trafford | North West | 2,188 | 4.68 | 81.1% |
| Tunbridge Wells | South East | 1,083 | 4.75 | 83.0% |
| Uttlesford | East Counties | 814 | 4.84 | 89.7% |
| Vale of Glamorgan | Wales | 1,311 | 4.59 | 71.2% |
| Vale of White Horse | South East | 1,037 | 4.73 | 81.1% |
| Wakefield | Yorkshire and Humberside | 3,044 | 4.7 | 78.6% |
| Walsall | West Midlands | 2,192 | 4.25 | 57.9% |
| Waltham Forest | London | 1,996 | 3.99 | 51.1% |
| Wandsworth | London | 2,875 | 4.63 | 77.6% |
| Warrington | North West | 1,679 | 4.58 | 76.3% |
| Warwick | West Midlands | 1,392 | 4.83 | 89.6% |
| Watford | East Counties | 995 | 4.72 | 79.4% |
| Waverley | South East | 1,069 | 4.64 | 78.5% |
| Wealden | South East | 1,353 | 4.71 | 77.7% |
| Welwyn Hatfield | East Counties | 752 | 4.72 | 78.7% |
| West Berkshire | South East | 1,253 | 4.77 | 85.5% |
| West Devon | South West | 634 | 4.76 | 82.5% |
| West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | 717 | 96.8% pass | — |
| West Lancashire | North West | 940 | 4.67 | 79.2% |
| West Lindsey | East Midlands | 874 | 4.7 | 84.2% |
| West Lothian | Scotland | 1,138 | 97.8% pass | — |
| West Northamptonshire | East Midlands | 4,057 | 4.63 | 78.1% |
| West Oxfordshire | South East | 1,123 | 4.92 | 94.2% |
| West Suffolk | East Counties | 1,712 | 4.86 | 90.8% |
| Westminster | London | 5,683 | 4.47 | 69.8% |
| Westmorland and Furness | North West | 3,160 | 4.81 | 86.3% |
| Wigan | North West | 2,563 | 4.19 | 53.8% |
| Wiltshire | South West | 4,202 | 4.7 | 80.9% |
| Winchester City | South East | 1,169 | 4.86 | 89.5% |
| Windsor and Maidenhead | South East | 1,597 | 4.69 | 81.7% |
| Wirral | North West | 2,324 | 4.56 | 72.3% |
| Woking | South East | 772 | 4.48 | 68.8% |
| Wokingham | South East | 1,137 | 4.69 | 80.5% |
| Wolverhampton | West Midlands | 2,159 | 4.56 | 75.4% |
| Worcester City | West Midlands | 839 | 4.7 | 78.2% |
| Worthing | South East | 1,023 | 4.71 | 81.2% |
| Wrexham | Wales | 1,204 | 4.94 | 96.1% |
| Wychavon | West Midlands | 1,102 | 4.72 | 81.0% |
| Wyre | North West | 1,039 | 4.38 | 62.6% |
| Wyre Forest | West Midlands | 754 | 4.57 | 73.7% |
| York | Yorkshire and Humberside | 2,149 | 4.62 | 74.4% |
Methodology & source
Source. These statistics are computed from the Food Standards Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) open data, the official public register of food hygiene ratings for the UK. The figures were retrieved on 2 July 2026; the underlying local-authority data carries FSA extract dates between 2026-04-22 and 2026-07-01.
Computation. We downloaded every local authority's published data export and aggregated each establishment's rating. The average rating is the mean across all 485,459 establishments holding a numeric 0–5 rating; premises that are exempt or awaiting their first inspection are excluded from the average. "Below 3" counts ratings of 0, 1 and 2.
Scotland. Scotland's Food Hygiene Information Scheme uses Pass / Improvement Required rather than a 0–5 score, so it is aggregated separately and excluded from the UK average.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Food Standards Agency, Food Hygiene Rating Scheme — ratings.food.gov.uk/open-data. This page reports aggregate statistics only and does not rate or identify any individual business.
Understand and improve your rating
New to the scheme? Our complete guide to food hygiene ratings explains how the 0–5 score is worked out and what an inspector looks for.
Sitting below a 5? The step-by-step how to improve your food hygiene rating from 1 to 5 guide covers the fastest, most reliable route up — and why Confidence in Management is where most points are won or lost.
Consistent records are what hold a 5 in place. Forkto's food safety management software digitises the daily checks, temperature logs and HACCP records an EHO wants to see — the evidence behind a top rating.
Food hygiene rating statistics: FAQs
Quick answers on UK food hygiene rating averages, distributions and regional differences.
What is the average food hygiene rating in the UK?
As of July 2026, the average food hygiene rating across England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 4.65 out of 5, computed from 485,459 rated establishments on the Food Standards Agency's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme register. Scotland uses a separate Pass / Improvement Required scheme and is not included in that average.
What percentage of UK food businesses have a 5-star food hygiene rating?
78.2% of rated food businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland hold the top food hygiene rating of 5, and 91.4% are rated 4 or higher.
What percentage of food businesses have a low food hygiene rating?
3.0% of rated food businesses score below 3 — a rating of 0, 1 or 2, the levels at which the Food Standards Agency judges that improvement is necessary. Ratings of 3 (generally satisfactory), 4 (good) and 5 (very good) make up the remaining 97.0%.
Which areas have the best food hygiene ratings?
Among local authorities with a substantial number of rated businesses, Bassetlaw, Wrexham, Dorset record the highest share of 5-rated establishments. By region, the South West and Northern Ireland have the highest average ratings, while London has the lowest average and the largest share of businesses rated below 3.
How is the average food hygiene rating calculated?
It is the mean of every establishment holding a numeric 0–5 rating on the FSA's Food Hygiene Rating Scheme register (485,459 businesses), excluding premises that are exempt or awaiting their first inspection. Figures are computed directly from the FSA open data, retrieved on 2 July 2026.
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