When looking for a new place to eat, it is incredibly important to check the venue’s food hygiene rating. And data has revealed which Yorkshire council areas are the worst for below-standard establishments.
The Food Standards Agency runs the food hygiene rating scheme in partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Inspectors rate food venues on a scale of zero to five, with five representing ‘very good’ hygiene standards and zero outlining ‘urgent improvement’ is necessary.
The food hygiene rating is not a guide to food quality, but gives clear information about the businesses’ hygiene standards. Inspectors look at the handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, the cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed.
Establishments with a rating of two or below are determined to be below satisfactory, with improvement required.
Here, we rank every council area in Yorkshire from best to worst across the three main categories - pubs/bars/nightclubs, restaurants/canteens/cafes and takeaways/sandwich shops. The ranking has been determined based on the percentage of these establishments in each council area with a food hygiene rating of two or below.

5. East Riding of Yorkshire - 2.5%
Of the 1,300 establishments in the East Riding of Yorkshire, 32 (2.5%) had a food hygiene rating of two or below. | Duncan - stock.adobe.com

6. Sheffield - 2.7%
Of the 2,370 establishments in Sheffield, 63 (2.7%) had a food hygiene rating of two or below. | Adobe Stock

7. Barnsley - 2.9%
Of the 852 establishments in Barnsley. 25 (2.9%) have failed food hygiene ratings of two or below. | Colin & Linda McKie - stock.adobe.com

8. Bradford - 3.5%
Of the 2,007 establishments in Bradford, 70 had food hygiene ratings of two or below - that's 3.5%. | SakhanPhotography - stock.adobe.com