Waitrose food hygiene rating
Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · East Suffolk
Waitrose 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 8 February 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: Waitrose Supermarket, Church Street, Saxmundham, IP17 1DD
How it compares in East Suffolk
That puts Waitrose among the 1,994 places in East Suffolk holding top marks, 86% 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 | 1,994 | 86% | ← Waitrose | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 212 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 71 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 22 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 17 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 202 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 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 Waitrose 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 Waitrose, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| At The Crossroads Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 21 January 2026 |
| Spice Zone Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | at this address | 5 - Very good | 5 March 2026 |
| The Wholefood Shop Saxmundham Wholefoods Retailers - other | 25 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 October 2025 |
| Tap.social Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 36 yards away | Awaiting inspection | |
| Queens Head Inn Pub/bar/nightclub | 41 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 February 2026 |
| Violets Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 41 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 September 2024 |
| Socialbar Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 41 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 July 2025 |
| The Black Dog Deli Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 57 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 November 2024 |
Questions about Waitrose
What is Waitrose's food hygiene rating?
Waitrose has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Suffolk Council on 8 February 2024.
Is Waitrose 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 Waitrose last inspected?
Waitrose was last inspected on 8 February 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Suffolk Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Waitrose?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Waitrose compare to other places in East Suffolk?
86% of the 2,317 rated food businesses in East Suffolk hold the top rating of 5, and Waitrose is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Suffolk Council inspects Waitrose 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 Waitrose and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Waitrose is one of 73 rated food businesses in Saxmundham. See every hygiene rating in Saxmundham →
East Suffolk inspects and rates 2,519 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Suffolk →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eastsuffolk.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 →