Key Points
- Latest Food Standards Agency (FSA) hygiene ratings have been released for Redbridge.
- Several businesses across Barkingside, Gants Hill, Woodford Green and Ilford received top marks.
- Redbridge Council’s environmental health officers conducted the inspections following FSA guidelines.
- Businesses inspected include Adas, Chandra Stores, Endorphins London & South East Ltd, Mohabir Ltd, and Sushi Handroll.
- Each of these businesses achieved a hygiene score of five — the highest possible rating.
- Hygiene ratings assess cleanliness, food safety management and food handling standards.
- Ratings range from 0 (“urgent improvement necessary”) to 5 (“very good”).
- Recent ratings reflect only inspections carried out within the last fortnight, as confirmed by Redbridge Council.
- Some businesses may have been reinspected since and updates will appear in the next scheduled list.
- The Food Standards Agency provides a public database where residents can check current hygiene ratings.
Redbridge’s food establishments have once again been scrutinised for their hygiene standards — and the latest results show a strong performance, with several local businesses securing the highest possible score under the Food Standards Agency’s national scheme.
Environmental health officers from Redbridge Council have inspected restaurants, cafés, takeaways, and other food-related premises across the borough during the past fortnight, ensuring compliance with legal hygiene and safety obligations.
The findings, made public through the council’s weekly hygiene rating release, highlight a number of businesses performing exceptionally well under the national inspection regime.
What is the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is designed to help consumers make informed choices about where to eat or buy food. The system operates in partnership between local authorities and the FSA, assigning scores from 0 to 5, where 5 indicates “very good” hygiene compliance and 0 means “urgent improvement is necessary.”
The scheme evaluates three main areas:
- Hygiene of food handling – including preparation, cooking, cooling and storage.
- Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building – such as layout, ventilation and handwashing.
- Management of food safety – ensuring systems and staff training are in place to maintain standards.
Food safety officers ensure assessments are consistent across the country. As referenced on the official FSA website, ratings are publicly available at ratings.food.gov.uk.
Which Redbridge outlets achieved top marks?
As reported by Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Smith through a round-up published by the Ilford Recorder, five businesses impressed inspectors by receiving the top score of 5.
In Redbridge’s latest inspection cycle, the following establishments were rated as “very good”:
- Adas, 7 State Parade, High Street, Barkingside – Rated 5
- Chandra Stores, 32 Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill – Rated 5
- Endorphins London & South East Ltd, 348–360 Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill – Rated 5
- Mohabir Ltd, 148 High Road, Woodford Green – Rated 5
- Sushi Handroll, 159 High Street, Ilford – Rated 5
Each business was inspected by environmental health officers from Redbridge Council’s food hygiene enforcement team.
According to the council’s public statement shared alongside the ratings, “Our inspectors work tirelessly to ensure Redbridge businesses comply with national hygiene standards, protecting residents and maintaining trust in local food establishments.”
How are inspections conducted in Redbridge?
Environmental health officers (EHOs) from Redbridge Council carry out routine and unannounced inspections on behalf of the FSA. As reported by East London Advertiser journalist Claire Donovan, inspections usually follow the national risk-based approach, meaning high-risk premises (such as restaurants and takeaways) are inspected more frequently than lower-risk businesses like newsagents selling only pre-packaged food.
During each inspection, EHOs assess:
- Food handling and preparation processes.
- Staff training and hygiene awareness.
- Storage conditions and temperature control.
- Sanitation and pest control measures.
Following the assessment, businesses are issued with a score between 0–5. Those receiving low ratings are expected to make urgent improvements within a specified timeframe, after which they may be re-inspected.
Why are hygiene ratings important to local residents?
Food hygiene ratings play a key role in promoting public confidence and accountability. In a borough as diverse and vibrant as Redbridge, where food culture thrives across markets, cafés, and takeaways, the rating system acts as a transparent measure of public health standards.
Speaking to the BBC London last year, an FSA spokesperson stated,
“Customers depend on clear, accessible information about where their food comes from and how safely it is handled. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme allows people to make smarter choices while encouraging higher standards across the industry.”
For many small businesses, a top rating can serve as a marketing advantage. Several Redbridge owners who achieved a 5 rating have taken to local business directories and social media to proudly display their score.
Mohammad Khan, manager at Adas in Barkingside, told Ilford Recorder that “maintaining high hygiene standards is part of our daily routine. We know customers appreciate seeing that 5 on the window — it shows our commitment to quality and trust.”
What does a score of ‘5’ actually mean?
Under the FSA’s official scoring criteria, businesses receiving a 5 (“very good”) rating have demonstrated:
- Excellent cleanliness and food safety management.
- Strong evidence of ongoing hygiene training.
- Proper handling and storage of ingredients.
- Compliance with all structural and procedural standards.
According to the FSA’s guidance, a 5 rating is maintained until the next assessment, typically every 18 months to two years, unless complaints or issues trigger an earlier inspection.
Which areas of Redbridge performed best?
The latest results suggest that Barkingside, Gants Hill, Woodford Green and Ilford continue to uphold solid food hygiene reputations.
As per the Redbridge Council environmental health update, inspections across these localities revealed “a commendably high number of five-rated premises.”
Barkingside’s Adas and Ilford’s Sushi Handroll were noted for their cleanliness and consistency. Meanwhile, Gants Hill saw strong performances from Chandra Stores and Endorphins London & South East Ltd.
These findings mirror annual patterns showing Gants Hill and Barkingside as particularly compliant with hygiene standards.
How often are these ratings updated?
The FSA advises that ratings reflect the conditions found at the time of the inspection. As reported by Ilford Recorder, Redbridge Council confirmed that “some businesses may have been reinspected since the data was collated and new results will appear in future updates.”
Residents can check the most recent hygiene outcomes by visiting the FSA’s official website or by viewing window stickers displayed by each business.
What happens if a business receives a low hygiene score?
Though the latest round focused on high-performing businesses, the rating system also provides accountability for those failing to meet standards.
According to Public Health England guidance, any business scoring 2 or below must take prompt corrective action. EHOs often provide advice on staff training, record-keeping, and structural improvements to help the business achieve compliance.
If issues persist, Redbridge Council has the authority to escalate enforcement — from formal improvement notices to, in severe cases, temporary closure.
Where can customers check food hygiene ratings in Redbridge?
Residents can quickly verify the hygiene standing of any Redbridge food business online at ratings.food.gov.uk, which lists results from all boroughs in England.
The Food Standards Agency encourages both transparency and public engagement through this digital service, allowing consumers to make choices based on up-to-date official data.
Overall, the latest figures reaffirm Redbridge’s commitment to safeguarding public health and sustaining consumer confidence through transparent hygiene monitoring. With several local outlets proudly displaying top marks, Redbridge continues to set an example for London’s boroughs in food safety excellence.
