Over 4,000 London food businesses have low hygiene ratings

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 1 Nov, 06:15 · Archive

More than 4,000 London food businesses have received hygiene ratings of two or below, with Newham, Ealing and Waltham Forest most affected.

Research compiled by Cairn Catering Engineers, based on Food Standards Agency data updated on 27 October 2026, reveals that 302 London food businesses have received the lowest possible hygiene rating of zero, indicating urgent improvement is necessary. A further 1,721 businesses were rated one and 2,046 scored two, bringing the total to 4,069 businesses across London with ratings showing improvement is needed.

London ranks fourth worst among England's 30 largest cities for the percentage of businesses rated two or below. At 5.7 per cent of London's rated food businesses, this figure is significantly higher than the national average of 3.1 per cent. Newham tops the list with the highest percentage of low-rated businesses at 13.9 per cent out of 2,447 rated food businesses, and has the third highest number of zero-rated establishments with 30. Ealing follows closely with 13.1 per cent of its 3,202 rated businesses scoring two or below. Waltham Forest ranks third with 12.4 per cent of businesses receiving one of the three lowest ratings and has the highest number of zero-rated businesses in London at 71.

Enfield comes fourth with 9.4 per cent of businesses scoring two or below. Barking and Dagenham and Camden both stand at 7.9 per cent, with Camden recording 44 zero-rated businesses, the second highest in London. Westminster, with 5,324 rated businesses, recorded 16 premises with the lowest possible score.

How it is being reported

• REVEALED: Croydon and Sutton pubs with the worst hygiene ratingsOne pub in Croydon has been given a one-star food hygiene rating, while three pubs and bars across Croydon and Sutton have received two stars.Croydon Guardian · 1 Nov, 05:00
• REVEALED: Croydon and Sutton pubs with the worst hygiene ratingsOne pub in Croydon has been given a one-star food hygiene rating, while three pubs and bars across Croydon and Sutton have received two stars.This Is Local London · 1 Nov, 05:00
• These London boroughs are the dirtiest with the most low food hygiene scoresNew research reveals 302 London food businesses have a zero hygiene rating, with Newham, Ealing and Waltham Forest among boroughs with the highest shares of low scores.This Is Local London · 31 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Newham · Ealing · Waltham Forest · Food Standards Agency · Cairn Catering Engineers · London

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