Sainsbury's food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Durham
Sainsbury's 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 20 May 2025, 13 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: Units 1 to 2 Co-Operative Buildings Cotsford Lane, Horden, SR8 4JJ
How it compares in Durham
That puts Sainsbury's among the 3,087 places in Durham holding top marks, 75% 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 | 3,087 | 75% | ← Sainsbury's | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 683 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 286 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 50 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 25 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 512 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 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 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, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greggs Retailers - other | at this address | 5 - Very good | 12 November 2024 |
| Pizza King Takeaway/sandwich shop | at this address | 5 - Very good | 8 December 2025 |
| Geordies Pizzeria Takeaway/sandwich shop | 230 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 November 2025 |
| Feeding Abilities Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 252 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 November 2024 |
| Horden Centennial Centre Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 252 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 November 2024 |
| Horden Parish Council Other catering premises | 252 yards away | 5 - Very good | 15 February 2023 |
| Horden Conservative Club Pub/bar/nightclub | 254 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 October 2018 |
| Horden Salvation Army Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 302 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 November 2024 |
Questions about Sainsbury's
What is Sainsbury's's food hygiene rating?
Sainsbury's has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Durham Council on 20 May 2025.
Is Sainsbury's 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 last inspected?
Sainsbury's was last inspected on 20 May 2025, 13 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Durham Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sainsbury's?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "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 compare to other places in Durham?
75% of the 4,133 rated food businesses in Durham hold the top rating of 5, and Sainsbury's is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Durham Council inspects Sainsbury's 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 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
Sainsbury's is one of 56 rated food businesses in Horden. See every hygiene rating in Horden →
Durham inspects and rates 4,645 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Durham →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.durham.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 →