Some of the Suffolk businesses handed low food hygiene ratings in and around Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Stowmarket and more
When choosing somewhere to eat, you probably want to know if you are in safe hands when it comes to hygiene.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works with local authorities to enforce food safety rules and award star ratings to businesses, giving residents an indication of the cleanliness and hygiene.
Here's a list of some of the Suffolk businesses handed low food hygiene ratings after recent inspections.
Lowestoft Tandoori
Serious issues were highlighted at this Indian eatery in Lowestoft when the FSA swooped on it in October.
It was deemed that the business required major improvements in terms of the cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities and management of food safety.
Inspectors said hygienic food handling was generally satisfactory.
It previously had a five-star rating.
Lowestoft Tandoori is popular with customers, with a five-star TripAdvisor rating after more than 1,900 reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Google after 877 visits.
Bramford Fish Bar & Chinese
This isn’t the first time this chippy, located in Bramford, near Ipswich, secured a low hygiene rating.
The FSA awarded the Gippingstone Road takeaway a one-star rating in November – the same rating it was handed in September 2022.
Inspectors thought improvements were necessary when it came to hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities.
Management of food safety required major improvements.
While TripAdvisor reviews are mixed, it maintains a four-star rating.
The Queen’s Head, Eye
The first pub on our list. The Queen’s Head in Eye required improvements, the FSA said during its visit in November.
It was deemed that improvements were necessary when it came to its hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and the condition of the building and its facilities.
Major improvements were needed regarding management and food safety.
However, it has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor after more than 430 reviews.
Plough and Sail, Snape
Located just outside the picturesque village of Snape, near Saxmundham, the Plough and Sail was handed a one-star rating in November.
The cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities were deemed to be generally satisfactory, while improvements were needed in terms of hygienic food handling.
Major improvements were noted when it came to its management of food safety, according to the FSA.
However, 841 people gave their thoughts on this ‘hidden Suffolk gem’ on TripAdvisor, where it sits at a 4.5-star rating.
221B Bakers, Framlingham
Styling itself after artisan bakeries and cafes from across the continent, this Framlingham business was handed a one-star rating by the FSA on January 30.
While hygienic food handling and management of food safety were considered generally satisfactory, the cleanliness and condition of its facilities and the building required major improvements.
However, the bakery has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
The King’s Head, Mendlesham
Nestled in a village between Stowmarket and Eye, Mendlesham’s only pub failed to impress inspectors.
The King’s Head was given a one-star rating during a January review.
Inspectors said the pub’s hygienic handling of food was generally satisfactory, while the cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities needed improvement.
Major improvements were required regarding its management of food safety.
Customer reviews for the local are overwhelmingly positive, however, with The King’s Head having a five-star TripAdvisor rating and a 4.1 rating on Google.
Sultan Kebab, Stowmarket
This kebab shop in Stowmarket was handed a one-star rating last month.
Inspectors highlighted issues at the Ipswich Street takeaway, with hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities needing improvements.
However, they deemed major improvements were necessary when it came to the management of food safety.
The Fox Inn, Ousden
Time for our final entry, and the only one from West Suffolk.
The Fox Inn in Ousden, between Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, was visited by the FSA in February.
Inspectors praised the cleanliness and condition of the building and its facilities, which were deemed to be very good.
However, improvements were needed when it came to its hygienic food handling and major improvements were noted for its management of food safety.
It received a one-star rating.
