Heron Foods food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Sunderland
Heron Foods 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 November 2019, more than 6 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: The Market Unit 3, The Green, Sunderland, SR5 2HT
How it compares in Sunderland
That puts Heron Foods among the 1,634 places in Sunderland 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 | 1,634 | 84% | ← Heron Foods | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 193 | 10% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 74 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 20 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 23 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 365 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 Heron Foods 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 Heron Foods, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| B & M Home Store Retailers - other | 3 yards away | 5 - Very good | 25 September 2017 |
| Best One - Greens Super News Retailers - other | 3 yards away | 5 - Very good | 11 January 2023 |
| Berry Rose Bakery Retailers - other | 58 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 October 2025 |
| Alexandra View Care Centre Caring Premises | 128 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 March 2026 |
| Artistic Flare. Crafts, Chats And Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 207 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 August 2025 |
| B & S Discount Store Retailers - other | 327 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 January 2023 |
| Aldi Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 February 2026 |
| Asda Petrol Station/Convenience Store Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 March 2019 |
Questions about Heron Foods
What is Heron Foods's food hygiene rating?
Heron Foods has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Sunderland Council on 20 November 2019.
Is Heron Foods 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 Heron Foods last inspected?
Heron Foods was last inspected on 20 November 2019, more than 6 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Sunderland Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Heron Foods?
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 Heron Foods compare to other places in Sunderland?
84% of the 1,946 rated food businesses in Sunderland hold the top rating of 5, and Heron Foods is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Sunderland Council inspects Heron Foods 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 Heron Foods and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Sunderland inspects and rates 2,311 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Sunderland →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.sunderland.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 →