We are spoilt for choice with the number of places to eat out in the borough so you can afford to be choosy about where you go. With just a quick online check, you can get reassurance that you’ve chosen wisely.
Most businesses in the borough take food safety seriously, and Ealing Council makes regular inspections to ensure eateries are living up to expectation.
You can search online for a business’s food hygiene rating score.
High Five
The council’s food safety team has a legal duty to make sure that all food businesses within the borough follow food hygiene regulations, so that all food sold is safe to eat. Last year, officers inspected more than 2,100 food premises on top of dealing with more than 1,000 complaints, referrals and requests for advice.
The team recognises premises where significant improvements have been made and the free food advice service offers guidance and support to local businesses.
Samrat Bangladeshi and Indian Cuisine and Boof Restaurant have both received the council’s High Five award to celebrate the steps they took to improve their food hygiene ratings.
Pest infestations
But, not all restaurants are squeaky clean and the food safety team investigates hundreds of complaints and takes robust enforcement action where necessary.
In 2023, 34 Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices (HEPNs) were served requiring businesses to cease trading, with immediate effect until significant improvements are made.
During the autumn, 3 restaurant owners and a food manufacturer were taken to court – resulting in a total of more than £42,000 in fines. All of the cases involved an infestation of mice, with mice droppings present on food, packaging, and tableware. Following legal proceedings and a major overhaul of their food safety standards, the restaurants have now reopened.
‘Not fit for human consumption’
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “The food safety team do a fantastic job protecting residents and supporting businesses to ensure that the food safety and hygiene standards that our residents expect when eating out and ordering in are met.
Food served in kitchens infested with mice is just not fit for human consumption. I am very pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of these offences and imposed appropriate fines.”
