Some of the Suffolk businesses handed low food hygiene ratings in recent inspections, with locations in the Ipswich and Stowmarket areas, Hadleigh, Lowestoft, Haverhill and Sudbury

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.

Lan Tin, Lowestoft

Chinese takeaway Lan Tin, in Raglan Street, Lowestoft, secured a one-star rating from the FSA following a visit on February 28.

While management of food safety was generally satisfactory, the report said, improvements were necessary when it came to hygienic food handling.

It noted major improvements were needed when it came to the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building.

Despite this, Lan Tin retains a three and a half-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Bramford Fish Bar & Chinese Takeaway

This takeaway outside Ipswich also secured a one-star hygiene rating.

Bramford Fish Bar & Takeaway was reviewed by the FSA on May 17.

The FSA found that improvements were needed when it came to hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of facilities.

However, major improvements were needed regarding management of food safety.

Little China, Stowupland

The third Chinese takeaway on this list was visited on June 4.

Little China Chinese Takeaway, in Devon Road, Stowupland, was handed a one-star rating.

It maintains a three and a half-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Minthus Continental Mart, Haverhill

In Haverhill, this store secured a one-star rating when FSA inspectors visited on June 28.

The report said that hygienic food handling at Minthus Continental Mart, at 17A High Street, was good.

However, improvements were needed in terms of cleanliness and condition of the buildings, while major improvements were required when it came to management of food safety.

India Villa, Hadleigh

In Hadleigh, this Indian eatery India Villa, in High Street, was handed a one-star food hygiene rating on July 9.

The FSA noted that improvements were necessary when it came to hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building.

However, major improvements were needed when it came to management of food safety.

Despite this, India Villa has a four-star rating on TripAdvisor.

The Gainsborough, Sudbury

The Gainsborough, in King Street, Sudbury, was handed the lowest rating of zero stars when the FSA paid a visit on July 25.

Inspectors said major improvements were needed regarding hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building.

However, urgent issues were highlighted in terms of the pub’s 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.