Welcome to Yorkshire
News • August 6th, 2026
|Yorkshire and Humberside has been ranked 6th in the UK for food hygiene ratings, according to a recent report by High Speed Training. The study analysed data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) covering nearly 240,000 food businesses across the UK, revealing that the average food hygiene rating in the region is a solid 4.58 out of 5, based on inspections of 21,433 establishments. This consistent performance highlights the commitment to food safety in the area.
Best Places for Food Hygiene
Leading the pack in Yorkshire and Humberside is Ripon, with an impressive average rating of 4.82. This marks a significant increase of 0.17 from the previous year, showcasing the city's dedication to maintaining high hygiene standards. Ripon’s rise to the top reflects not only its commitment to food safety but also the hard work of local food businesses.
Other towns with strong ratings include:
Sheffield - Improved its ranking by moving up four positions to an average score of 4.63.
Grimsby - Despite a drop in rank to 8th with a score of 4.55, it still maintains a respectable rating.
Areas for Improvement
On the other end of the scale, Bradford reported the lowest average food hygiene rating in the region at 4.35, ranking it joint 46th nationally. This slight decrease of 0.01 from 2025 highlights the need for improvement in food hygiene practices.
High Speed Training's report also found that a notable 18.41% of takeaways and sandwich shops in Yorkshire and Humberside scored 3 or below, indicating that there are still areas where food safety needs to be prioritised. In total, 2,245 food businesses in the region received ratings of 0, 1, 2, or 3, which are considered low ratings. Breaking it down further:
30 establishments scored a 0.
302 premises received a rating of 1.
High Hygiene Standards Across the Board
Despite the concerns, the overall picture for food hygiene in Yorkshire and Humberside remains positive. An impressive 89.53% of food businesses scored a 4 or 5, with 90.88% of restaurants and cafes achieving the highest ratings. This reflects a strong commitment to food safety across the region.
The most common rating recorded was a 5, with 72.99% of all premises achieving this top mark. This is a great indicator for residents and visitors alike, as it suggests that the vast majority of food establishments are prioritising cleanliness and safety.
National Context
In a broader context, Yorkshire and Humberside's average rating of 4.58 places it behind other regions, such as the South West, which boasts an average of 4.69. The highest-rated towns in the UK are Ipswich and Southport, both scoring an impressive 4.92 average.
High Speed Training has been producing these reports for five consecutive years, and the data shows a steady increase in average ratings from 4.49 in 2022 to 4.58 in 2026. This upward trend is encouraging, especially since most regions across the UK have also improved their ratings during this time, indicating a nationwide commitment to better food hygiene practices.
Importance of Food Hygiene Ratings
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) was introduced in 2010 to help consumers make informed choices about where to eat. Ratings are based on several factors, including how food is handled, the condition of the premises, and food safety management practices. While it is compulsory for businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland to display their ratings, in England, it is only considered best practice.
Dr Richard Anderson, Director of Learning at High Speed Training, emphasised the importance of food safety:
“Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them.”
He also noted that high ratings serve as a selling point for businesses, while low ratings can deter customers and impact a business's reputation.
As Yorkshire and Humberside continues to uphold high food hygiene standards, it is vital for consumers to check hygiene ratings when dining out. This not only helps ensure personal safety but also supports businesses that are committed to maintaining excellent hygiene practices.
For anyone interested in viewing the full report and discovering how local areas compare to others, it can be accessed online, complete with an interactive map and detailed ratings.
