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06
Aug
Ripon top for food hygiene
Ripon has the best food hygiene in Yorkshire and Humberside, according to a report published today (August 6).
The report, by online training provider High Speed Training, is based on Food Standards Agency hygiene ratings for almost 240,000 UK businesses.
Ripon recorded an average score of 4.82 from 130 premises, placing it first regionally and seventh in the national rankings for towns and cities.
Its rating increased by 0.17 from 2025, which was the biggest improvement regionally.
Harrogate placed third with an average score of 4.68, based on 315 reviews.
The lowest average rating in the region went to Bradford, with an average score of 4.35.
The Food Standards Agency introduced the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in 2010.
It sees local authorities inspect venues and give ratings 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 Food Standards Agency 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.
Dr Richard Anderson, director of learning at High Speed Training, said:
Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them. Over the last five years, we have seen trends broadly improve across the whole of the UK, which is a really positive sign. These ratings are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates, and we urge businesses and customers to take them seriously.
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 and may have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.
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