Almost one in 20 takeaways are so dirty they failed inspection, grim MailOnline analysis reveals.
Nearly 200 scored zero – the worst possible rating.
This includes one Lancashire takeaway where inspectors found what appeared to be a deep fried rat in the kitchen.
Shocked environmental health officers made the disgusting discovery at Mexicano Food Box in Preston during a visit in September 2024.
Aside from the deceased rat, there were traces of insects and rodent feces all over the entire establishment. As a consequence of the inspection, the business opted to shut down temporarily for an extensive cleaning. The proprietors were cautioned that if there is no significant improvement in standards, formal measures would be implemented.
MailOnline has today named and shamed all 3,630 takeaways that failed their latest inspection in an interactive map.
Shocked health inspectors discovered what appeared to be a deep fried rat at the Mexicano Food Box in Preston during a visit in September 2024
The kebab shop voluntarily closed following the inspection and discovery of the crispy rodent
It allows you to see whether your local is on the list.
All 63,400 fast food outlets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are rated on a scale between zero and five.
Two or less is considered a failure.
As well as 196 scoring zero, 1,315 were given a one out of five and 1,530 handed a two.
Major chains such as Pizza Hut and Greggs have at least one outlet that requires improvement.
After inspectors determined that the cleanliness and state of the premises needed enhancement, the Bolton Pizza Hut received a zero rating in October 2024.
Urgent improvement was needed for the management of food safety.
Meanwhile, Greggs outlets in Southall and West Bromwich received a rating of two.
Street Pizza and Kebab in Llangollen achieved a zero rating following an inspection
Sandhu’s Fish Bar in Newcastle Upon Tyne also had the dubious honour of a zero rating
Homey Palate in North Somerset was given the bottom rating of zero from Food Standards
Liverpool and Waltham Forest have the highest number of firms with a zero rating with 20 each with Birmingham following on 17.
In Scotland, the system works on a simple pass or fail basis.
There, 592 received an ‘Improvement Needed’ from Food Standards Scotland (FSS).
MailOnline’s analysis is correct as of December 31, 2024.
Individual local authorities are responsible for inspecting food businesses in their area. The results are then forwarded to either the FSA or FSS.
The information on the database can change on a daily basis.
FSA chiefs recommend businesses are inspected depending on risk, ranging from once every six months to two years.
Some extremely low-risk premises – such as newsagents, market stalls and cricket clubs – may have even longer intervals between check-ups.
Fung Kitchen in Harlow was given an overall rating of zero from inspectors
Patrons Pizza in south Oxfordshire also achieved a zero after local authority officials visited
Councils are individually responsible for inspecting venues to check whether food is being handled, stored and served safely.
This can include retailers, workplaces, schools, hospitals and even prisons.
In Birmingham alone, 167 takeaways have a rating between zero and two.
Last month, MailOnline revealed that Birmingham also had the highest number of substandard public houses.
According to the figures, Glasgow ranks second on the list of cities with the highest number of fast-food establishments failing inspections, with 94 falling short of meeting the requirements, closely trailed by Edinburgh with 84.
The data was correct as of December 31, 2024.
Individual local authorities are responsible for inspecting food businesses in their area. The results are then forwarded to either the FSA or FSS.
The information on the database can change on a daily basis.
The ratings compiled by the FSA and FSS do not consider the quality or value of the food on offer, only on whether it is been stored, handled and prepared correctly.
Venues get marked down if the kitchens are unsanitary or there is evidence of rodent or insect activity.
Some businesses have been found with rotting or out of date food.
