In the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme's 2024 report, the Chelmsford region ranked third across the East counties for average rating of hygiene standards. 

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme provides consumers across the country with information on the standards of local businesses handling food. 

The scheme is a result of High Speed Training investigating Food Standards Agency data of over 215,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

The East Counties region came in fifth of ten regions across the country, with an average score of 4.59 from 18,707 premises - higher than the average of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland of 4.55. 

Locally, Chelmsford ranked third of 16 in the region with an average 4.79 score across 351 premises, while Colchester had a similar 4.81 of 5 across 369 establishments. 

The East Counties ranked fifth of ten regions across the country (Credit: High Speed Training)

Ratings are given by visiting Environmental Health Officers, with visit frequency varying on the nature of the handling of food.

The ratings help consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food, by highlighting how seriously the business takes food standards

The High Speed Training website outlines how the FSA rating scale is based on three principal areas: "Hygienic food handling and practices", "Physical condition of the premises and facilities" and "Confidence in management".

Ratings are then given on a 0-5 scale.

The East Counties were one of nine regions to improve from their 2023 score with an increase from 4.58 with 710 less premises being rated in 2024 than 2023. 

Readers can learn more on the FHRS website,  or look up FSA ratings for specific businesses in the Maldon region here.