Ipswich Chop Suey House poor food hygiene ranking released

The Chop Suey House on Norwich Road had been displaying a four food hygiene sticker despite a council inspection at the start of October finding it in need of major improvements.

The restaurant has now updated its rating.

Councillor John Cook, the portfolio holder for environmental health, said while it is not a legal obligation to display a rating "any business displaying a higher food safety rating sign than it is entitled to deserves to be exposed".

The Chop Suey House on Norwich Road was found to have a four star rating displayed in their window but has now changed the rating. (Image: Jude Holden) Mr Cook said: "If a business falls woefully short of the standards required, tough action can be taken, up to and including prosecution.

"Where there are significant concerns, follow up visits are undertaken to ensure matters are put right. While businesses are not legally obliged to display their food hygiene rating, most proudly do so, and I'd personally avoid a business which doesn't."

Read more: See inside progress on Tower Street Food Hall in Ipswich

A subsequent inspection from Ipswich Borough Council officers found that the premises had not shown significant improvement and it's one food hygiene rating would remain. 

A report has not been made available of the improvements required at the takeaway.

The ratings from the Food Standards Agency range from zero: "urgent improvement necessary" to five: "hygiene standards are very good".

Councillor John Cook said: "Our Environmental Health Officers do an important job making sure the food sold by shops, takeaways and restaurants is hygienically prepared and safe to eat." 

John Cook, Ipswich Borough Councillor for the Alexandra Ward (Image: Ipswich Labour Party) In Northern Ireland and Wales, businesses that serve food are legally required to display an accurate food hygiene rating sticker in a prominent place but this is not the case in England. 

Previously, John Cook had welcomed the opening of new food businesses on Dogs Head Street in Ipswich town centre.

Food hygiene ratings are calculated from the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, hygienic food handling and management of food safety (Image: Archant) There are over 1,000 different food establishments in Ipswich, ranging from schools and newsagents to delis and takeaways, the overwhelming majority have a four ranking or above.

Councillor Cook added: "Only four premises in Ipswich are graded 1 - major improvement necessary, or 2 - improvement necessary, and most are rated at least 4 - good.

"Any business displaying a higher food safety rating sign than it is entitled to deserves to be exposed."