Northern Ireland's best and worst places for food hygiene ratings have been revealed in a new study.
The report from online training provider High Speed Training shows the local districts across Northern Ireland that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings.
It analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for more than 218,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Read more: New figures show average food hygiene rating for each council area across NI
The report found that in Northern Ireland, the average food hygiene rating across all food establishments was a highly impressive 4.68 from more than 6,700 premises, placing it top of the national rankings when compared to other UK regions.
A similar report run in 2022 by High Speed Training calculated the country’s score at 4.69, showing that food hygiene standards have stayed roughly the same in NI.
The top local authority in Northern Ireland is Mid and East Antrim, with an impressive average score of 4.81 from 423 premises. This area also topped the country in 2022, and maintained an identical rating.
Ards and North Down has the lowest rating in NI of 4.60, though it did increase its rating by 0.03 from last year.
The gap between the top region and the bottom region is only 0.21, the smallest spread of any region in the UK.
Compared to the rest of the UK, this is still a high rating - 4.60 would place Ards and North Down in the top 25 in the overall towns and cities list.
Belfast has the third highest average rating in the whole of the UK when compared with other larger towns and cities (ones with over 1,000 establishments), but is the third lowest of the Northern Ireland local authorities with a score of 4.62.
The top three local districts were Mid and East Antrim, Lisburn and Castlereagh City and Mid Ulster while Belfast City, Derry City and Strabane and Ards and North Down made up the bottom three local districts.
High Speed Training’s report also found that more than one in ten takeaways (13%) across Northern Ireland scored a three or below for their food hygiene rating, and that an impressive 94% of premises scored a four or a five on their rating.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to provide customers with information as to how well a business is upholding food hygiene and safety standards.
Following regular inspections, ratings are devised based on the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises and facilities and food safety management practices.
These ratings are then made available on the FSA website and are usually visible from outside of the premises, often presented in a window near the entrance.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is compulsory for businesses to display their food hygiene rating. However, in England it is currently just considered best practice.
Paul Turner CEnvH, MCIEH, Senior Environmental Health Officer, North Yorkshire Council, said: “It’s incredibly important to take careful notice of food hygiene ratings when choosing where to eat.
“This information allows consumers to make informed decisions, and visit establishments that care about their safety. They also provide businesses an opportunity to show potential customers their commitment to maintaining standards.
“Hygiene inspections are unannounced, so they really do provide customers with a window into the kitchen.
“Food hygiene ratings are based on three broad areas - The physical condition of the premises, the food handling practices, and confidence in management.
“This includes staff training and the documented systems that are in place - what we might call ‘the paperwork’. All three are vital to ensuring that a business is operating safely and efficiently.
“The results that High Speed Training have found are encouraging, with 87% of premises across the UK scoring a 4 or 5, but there are always improvements that can be made.
“Robust food management systems, regular maintenance of the premises and correct and proper training are all needed to ensure that businesses can provide the best and most hygienic service to their customers.”
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training added: “One of the biggest responsibilities as a food establishment is ensuring that food safety and hygiene practices are thorough and up to date.
“This is why it’s so important for customers to check FHRS ratings - they are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates.
“Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have slightly improved from 2022. For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point.
“However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, which ultimately have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.
“Correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to keep performing at high standards.
“And for those customers turning a blind eye when it comes to checking a hygiene rating, we would definitely urge you not to as ignorance isn’t always bliss!
“We would always recommend checking hygiene ratings before eating at an establishment so you can make an informed call as to whether you eat there.”
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