In Darlington, hundreds of restaurants, takeaways, cafes, pubs, and bars were inspected by hygiene officers last year.

The inspections are carried out by officers working toward the Food Standards Agency's criteria, which are:

Hygienic food handling - Hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage.

Management of food safety - System or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building (including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) to enable good food hygiene.

Establishments - including takeaways, cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs - can be given different ratings for several reasons, including safety, cleanliness, paperwork, and training.

What each hygiene rating means:

  • 0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary
  • 1 - Major Improvement Necessary
  • 2 - Some Improvement Necessary
  • 3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory
  • 4 - Hygiene Standards Good
  • 5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

Here are all of the establishments in Darlington that received scores of 0, 1, or 2 in 2023, according to the Food Standards Agency website.

Rated 0

Shawarma Time at 151 Northgate, North Lodge, Darlington; rated on October 10

Rated 1

Thai Lemon at 149 Northgate, North Lodge, Darlington; rated on October 5.

China Garden at 61 Alverton Drive, Darlington; rated on January 18.

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Rated 2

China Star Takeaway at 107 Victoria Road, Darlington – 2 stars, rated November 8.

Yarm Road Chinese Takeaway at 291 Yarm Road, Darlington; rated on November 1. 

Mojoes Heart at 114 Victoria Road, Darlington; rated on January 8.

China One at 82 High Northgate, Darlington; rated on December 20.

Earlier copy also included: 
The Juniper Tree, a pub, bar or nightclub at 25 Grange Road, Darlington; rated 1 on July 25. They have been reassessed on August 17, and given a 4. 

George & Dragon at 4 East Green, Heighington, Newton Aycliffe; rated 1 on October 3. They have been reassessed on November 10 and given a 4. 

Veno's at Veno's Pizzeria, 14 Yarm Road, Darlington; rated 1 on March 2. They have been reassessed on April 17 and given a 4.