The Friendly Loaf food hygiene rating
Manufacturers/packers · West Suffolk
The Friendly Loaf holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the food producer met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 20 May 2024, more than 2 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: Nowton Business Centre, Low Green, Nowton, IP29 5ND
How it compares in West Suffolk
That puts The Friendly Loaf among the 1,349 places in West Suffolk holding top marks, 91% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,349 | 91% | ← The Friendly Loaf | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 91 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 5 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 12 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 241 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At The Friendly Loaf none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to The Friendly Loaf, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Kitchen Takeaway/sandwich shop | 1.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 August 2024 |
| Cygnets Childcare (Whelnetham) Caring Premises | 1.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 July 2019 |
| Busy Bees at West Suffolk Hospital Caring Premises | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 March 2025 |
| Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 November 2024 |
| Burgerlicious Mobile caterer | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 January 2024 |
| Forage & Season Limited Manufacturers/packers | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 November 2023 |
| Caffe Pausa Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 September 2025 |
| Dragonfly Hotel Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2025 |
Questions about The Friendly Loaf
What is The Friendly Loaf's food hygiene rating?
The Friendly Loaf has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by West Suffolk Council on 20 May 2024.
Is The Friendly Loaf safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this food producer to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Friendly Loaf last inspected?
The Friendly Loaf was last inspected on 20 May 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by West Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Friendly Loaf?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Friendly Loaf compare to other places in West Suffolk?
91% of the 1,483 rated food businesses in West Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and The Friendly Loaf is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
West Suffolk Council inspects The Friendly Loaf and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch The Friendly Loaf and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
West Suffolk inspects and rates 1,724 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in West Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →