Whether it’s the post-clubbing munchies or a cosy night in with a film, the lure of convenient, mouth-watering food is hard to resist.
However, what’s harder to swallow is the aftermath of a dodgy takeaway that leaves your gut in turmoil. 63% of those who took part in a recent survey responded that they didn’t look at FSA ratings.
To safeguard your culinary adventures, Towergate Insurance has meticulously sifted through data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to present a definitive list of the cleanest—and, unfortunately, some of the dirtiest—places for dining in the UK. This information might just be the sauce on the side that determines your next meal out or helps you dodge a gastrointestinal bullet.
A look at the Crème de la Crème:
The research spree would be time-consuming if we were to break down the cleanliness by cuisine. So, in the interest of time, we’ve kept it simple. Here are the top 8 cleanest boroughs to dine in the UK, as endorsed by the FSA:
1. Ipswich, East of England: 4.94
2. Manchester, North West: 4.93
3. Kensington & Chelsea, London: 4.91
4. Stockton on Tees, North East: 4.90
5. Rossendale, North West: 4.89
6. Hastings, South East: 4.88
7. Dorset, South West: 4.88
8. Newcastle-Under-Lyme, West Midlands: 4.87
Whether you’re craving sushi, pizza, or anything in between, these are the areas where you’re least likely to find yourself regretting that last bite. Warning: Proceed with Caution in These London Boroughs
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—the boroughs you might want to be a little more discerning in.
According to the FSA, the three lowest-ranked areas in London are:
1. Waltham Forest: 3.2
2. Ealing: 4.15
3. Enfield: 4.17
And venturing outside the capital:
1. Walsall, West Midlands: 4.23
2. River Tees, North East: 4.25
3. Birmingham, West Midlands: 4.26
This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy a delightful meal in these areas, but you may want to perform a little extra due diligence before ordering. To ensure your takeaway doesn’t leave you with a bad taste—literally or metaphorically—here are five warning signs to look out for.
1. Low Hygiene Ratings
First and foremost, check the hygiene rating. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rates every food establishment on a scale from 0 to 5. A score below 3 should immediately raise eyebrows and warrant caution. Many takeaways proudly display their high hygiene ratings, but for those that don’t, a quick search on the FSA website can reveal all you need to know.
2. Outdated or Dirty Menus
While it might seem like a minor detail, a tattered, stained, or faded menu can be indicative of a lack of care in other areas of the business, such as food preparation and hygiene. This applies to both physical menus and online ones. If the takeaway can’t invest in keeping its public face appealing, how much attention are they paying to the quality of their food?
3. Negative Online Reviews
Thanks to the internet, a restaurant’s reputation is only a few clicks away. While no establishment is immune from the odd negative review, a pattern of complaints concerning food quality, hygiene, or customer service is a massive red flag. Pay particular attention to consistent mentions of food poisoning or other health issues linked to the food.
4. Unpleasant Odours
If you’re picking up the food yourself, use your nose. A foul or off-putting smell coming from a takeaway establishment is a telltale sign that all is not well. Good food venues smell of spices, fresh ingredients, and cooking, not of stale oil, mould, or rancid meat.
5. Disinterest or Rudeness from Staff
The way a business treats its customers often reflects its overall ethos. If the staff are rude, uninterested, or appear to have a lackadaisical approach towards hygiene (e.g., not wearing gloves or failing to wash hands), take it as a sign to walk away.
