Some of the Suffolk businesses handed low food hygiene ratings, with locations near Ipswich, Woodbridge, Sudbury, Eye and more
When choosing a restaurant or picking a takeaway, you probably want to know if you are in safe hands in terms of quality and 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 eateries handed low food hygiene ratings after recent inspections.
The Anchor Inn – Stratford St Mary
For our first entry, we find ourselves on the Suffolk/Essex border, roughly halfway between Ipswich and Colchester.
The Anchor Inn was handed a one-star food hygiene rating during an August visit.
Inspectors noted the improvements were necessary regarding hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.
Meanwhile, major improvements were needed in management of food safety.
Mediterranean Kebab House – Lowestoft
This High Street kebab shop was handed the minimum zero-star food hygiene rating in August.
Major improvements were needed in terms of cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building as well as management of food safety.
However, urgent improvement was needed regarding hygienic food handling.
Butchers Arms – Knodishall
In this village near Leiston we find our next entry.
The Butchers Arms in Leiston Road, which was brought back to life in 2017, was handed a one-star food hygiene rating in August.
Improvements were necessary regarding hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of the facilities and the building.
However, major improvements were needed for management of food safety.
Strawberry Stores – Sudbury
This is Strawberry Stores’ second time making this list, earning a one-star rating.
The Premier store – branded under this name – was last inspected on July 7, where it was also handed a one-star rating.
During its second review in September, inspectors noted that hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building required improvements.
However, major improvements were necessary in terms of management of food safety.
Prime Convenience – Woodbridge
This Old Barrack Road convenience store was handed a one-star rating on September 5.
While hygienic food handling was considered to be very good, it lost marks in the other criteria.
Regarding cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building, inspectors said improvements were necessary.
However, major improvement was needed in terms of management of food safety.
Lee’s Cottage – Eye
This Lambseth Street Chinese eatery was handed a one-star rating in September.
Improvements were needed in terms of hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.
However, major improvements were needed in terms of management of food safety.
The Swan – Hoxne
Our last entry is a pub not too far away in Hoxne.
The Swan was handed a one-star rating after a visit in October.
Improvements were needed in terms of hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.
Major improvements were needed regarding management of food safety.
Understanding the ratings
The hygienic food handling category includes the preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage of foods.
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building relates to the restaurant itself, including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, to enable good food hygiene.
The management of food safety category relates to systems or checks in place, including paperwork, to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat, as well as evidence that staff know about food safety.
