Sainsbury's Local food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Darlington
Sainsbury's Local holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the supermarket met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 13 February 2023, more than 3 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: Corporation Road, Darlington, DL3 6AS
How it compares in Darlington
That puts Sainsbury's Local among the 755 places in Darlington holding top marks, 90% 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 | 755 | 90% | ← Sainsbury's Local | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 48 | 6% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 19 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 79 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very 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 Sainsbury's Local 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 Sainsbury's Local, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismillah Retailers - other | 370 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 March 2024 |
| Bengal Heritage Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 371 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 May 2025 |
| Burger Boss Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 9 January 2026 |
| Best Shawarma Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 June 2024 |
| B\&S Market Retailers - other | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 April 2024 |
| Arvelli Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 January 2026 |
| Big Kids Little Kids Childcare Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 7 May 2025 |
| Builders Arms Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 April 2026 |
Questions about Sainsbury's Local
What is Sainsbury's Local's food hygiene rating?
Sainsbury's Local has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Darlington Council on 13 February 2023.
Is Sainsbury's Local 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 supermarket to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Sainsbury's Local last inspected?
Sainsbury's Local was last inspected on 13 February 2023, more than 3 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Darlington Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sainsbury's Local?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Sainsbury's Local compare to other places in Darlington?
90% of the 836 rated food businesses in Darlington hold the top rating of 5, and Sainsbury's Local is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Darlington Council inspects Sainsbury's Local 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 Sainsbury's Local 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
Darlington inspects and rates 915 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Darlington →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.darlington.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 →