Ipswich takeaway misleading customers with false food hygiene ratings
An Ipswich takeaway is displaying false hygiene ratings in its window and on a major food delivery platform despite receiving a one-star rating from food safety inspectors earlier this month.
The big picture: Inspectors visiting the Chinese takeaway on 1 October found issues requiring attention across all areas assessed:
- Hygienic food handling needs improvement, including preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling and storage.
- Cleanliness and condition of facilities needs improvement, including layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control.
- Management of food safety requires major improvement, including systems for ensuring food safety and staff knowledge.
Yes, but: The restaurant currently displays a four-star rating sticker in its window and a three-star rating on Just Eat, where customers often order "blindly" without seeing the premises they're ordering from. They do not display a rating on their website.
Why it matters: The discrepancy means customers could be making decisions based on incorrect food safety information, potentially risking their health and safety.
The bottom line: Food businesses are required to prominently display their current food hygiene rating at their premises and ensure that online platforms show accurate information. The Chop Suey House isn't.
Independent local journalism is expensive to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners.
Below the line