Sainsbury's food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Epping Forest
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 1 August 2023, 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: Bansons Lane, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9AR
How it compares in Epping Forest
That puts Sainsbury's among the 760 places in Epping Forest holding top marks, 84% 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 | 760 | 84% | ← Sainsbury's | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 96 | 11% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 36 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 11 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 148 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 93 yards away | 5 - Very good | 1 August 2025 |
| The Cheesemonger Retailers - other | 95 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| The Cheesemonger Retailers - other | 120 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 July 2023 |
| The Cock Tavern Pub/bar/nightclub | 139 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 February 2025 |
| KG Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 143 yards away | 4 - Good | 29 October 2025 |
| St. Clare Hospice Care Trust Retailers - other | 158 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| The Coriander Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 166 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 November 2025 |
| The Mogul Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 166 yards away | 4 - Good | 29 October 2025 |
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 Epping Forest Council on 1 August 2023.
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 1 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Epping Forest 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 "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 compare to other places in Epping Forest?
84% of the 910 rated food businesses in Epping Forest hold the top rating of 5, and Sainsbury's is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Epping Forest 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.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Sainsbury's is one of 78 rated food businesses in Ongar. See every hygiene rating in Ongar →
Epping Forest inspects and rates 1,058 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Epping Forest →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eppingforestdc.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 →