What is the average food hygiene rating in Bedford?

The average food hygiene rating in Bedford is 4.73 out of 5, across 1,473 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.

How does Bedford compare with the national average for food hygiene?

81.5% of rated premises in Bedford hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 1.8 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Bedford 159 of 328 by 5★ share (rank 1 = highest). Every figure is computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records used across this page.

How many restaurants in Bedford have a 5-star food hygiene rating?

1,201 food businesses in Bedford hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 81.5% of the 1,473 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 19 May 2026.

How many food businesses in Bedford have a low hygiene rating?

21 food businesses in Bedford are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 0 rated 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary). A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may since have improved — always check the current rating at the FSA.

What does a food hygiene rating actually measure?

The FSA food hygiene rating (0–5) reflects how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises, and how well the business manages food safety, recorded at its last inspection. 5 is Very Good and 0 is Urgent Improvement Necessary. It is not a measure of food quality or taste.

Where does this Bedford food hygiene data come from?

Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Bedford (1,662 establishments on record, 1,473 rated), sourced from ratings.food.gov.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as of 2026-06-12. No estimates or survey data are mixed in.

GeraEats / Food hygiene ratings / Bedford

Food Hygiene Ratings in Bedford

In Bedford, 81.5% of 1,473 rated food businesses hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating, the highest on the Food Standards Agency scale. The average rating is 4.73/5. These figures cover 1,662 establishments on record (as of 2026-06-12).

Quick answer

Bedford has 1,201 food businesses rated 5 (Very Good) out of 1,473 rated premises (81.5%). 21 premises are rated 2 or below and need improvement. The most recent inspection on record is dated 19 May 2026.

5★ share: 81.5%
National average: 79.7%
vs national average: +1.8 pp
National rank: 159 / 328

Ranked by 5★ share among 328 UK local authorities in our FHRS dataset (rank 1 = highest share). Both figures are computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records.

Rating distribution in Bedford

5★ Very Good

1,201 (81.5%)

4★ Good

173 (11.7%)

3★ Generally Satisfactory

78 (5.3%)

2★ Improvement Necessary

14 (1%)

1★ Major Improvement Necessary

7 (0.5%)

0★ Urgent Improvement Necessary

0 (0%)

Plus 141 awaiting inspection and 48 exempt premises (not included in the rated percentages above).

Percentages are of rated premises only. 141 awaiting inspection and 48 exempt premises are excluded from the percentages.

Food hygiene in Bedford: frequently asked questions

What is the average food hygiene rating in Bedford?: The average food hygiene rating in Bedford is 4.73 out of 5, across 1,473 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.
How does Bedford compare with the national average for food hygiene?: 81.5% of rated premises in Bedford hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 1.8 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Bedford 159 of 328 by 5★ share (rank 1 = highest). Every figure is computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records used across this page.
How many restaurants in Bedford have a 5-star food hygiene rating?: 1,201 food businesses in Bedford hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 81.5% of the 1,473 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 19 May 2026.
How many food businesses in Bedford have a low hygiene rating?: 21 food businesses in Bedford are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 0 rated 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary). A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may since have improved — always check the current rating at the FSA.
What does a food hygiene rating actually measure?: The FSA food hygiene rating (0–5) reflects how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises, and how well the business manages food safety, recorded at its last inspection. 5 is Very Good and 0 is Urgent Improvement Necessary. It is not a measure of food quality or taste.
Where does this Bedford food hygiene data come from?: Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Bedford (1,662 establishments on record, 1,473 rated), sourced from ratings.food.gov.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as of 2026-06-12. No estimates or survey data are mixed in.

Food hygiene ratings by area in Bedford

MK40465 places · 70.9% 5★

Top-rated places in Bedford

Aspens Services Ltd at Kempston Rural Primary SchoolSchool/college/university · Kempston Rural Primary School, Martell Drive, Kempston, Bedford · MK42 7FJ
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 19 May 2026
Lidl Food StoresRetailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · 5-9 St Peters Street, Bedford · MK40 2PN
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 19 May 2026
Aspens Services at Springfield Primary SchoolSchool/college/university · Springfield Primary School, Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford · MK42 7LJ
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
Family ShopRetailers - other · 32 Elstow Road, Bedford · MK42 9LP
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
Rice Thai RestaurantRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 41 St Cuthberts Street, Bedford · MK40 3JG
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
School Catering Support Ltd at Livingstone SchoolSchool/college/university · Livingstone Primary School, Clapham Road, Bedford · MK41 7LG
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
Aspens Services Ltd at Bedford Road Primary SchoolSchool/college/university · Bedford Road Primary School, Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, Bedford · MK42 8QH
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
BPHACaring Premises · Sir William Harpur House, Clyde Crescent, Bedford · MK41 7FB
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
Nouvita Healthcare LimitedCaring Premises · Bedford
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
Tasty ChickenTakeaway/sandwich shop · 13 Ford End Road, Bedford · MK40 4JA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
Charcoal grillRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 75-77 Tavistock Street, Bedford · MK40 2RR
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 7 May 2026
Putnoe Woods Pre-SchoolCaring Premises · Bedford Athletic Rugby Club, Wentworth Drive, Bedford · MK41 8QA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 7 May 2026

Places needing improvement in Bedford

Nisa Local - Kempston Food & WineRetailers - other · 74 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford · MK42 8BB
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 3 September 2025
Bird of Prey CentreRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Herring Green Farm, Cotton End Road, Wilstead, Bedford · MK45 3DT
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 25 March 2026
The CottageRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 206 High Street, Elstow, Bedford · MK42 9XU
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 4 November 2025
Spices of ParadiseRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · The Magpie Inn, 54 High Street, Harrold, Bedford · MK43 7DA
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 28 April 2026
Bedford Pizza & Kebab HouseTakeaway/sandwich shop · 87 Midland Road, Bedford · MK40 1BY
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 28 August 2024
Little Acorn CafeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · The Royal Oak, 33 High Street, Roxton, Bedford · MK44 3EA
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 26 February 2026
Burger and BlissOther catering premises · 71 High Street, Kempston, Bedford · MK42 7BT
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 24 June 2025
AL Rayyan GroceryRetailers - other · 31 Commercial Road, Bedford · MK40 1RB
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 1 August 2024

A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may have since improved. Always check the current rating at the FSA before drawing conclusions.

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Methodology

Figures are computed from 1,662 real Food Standards Agency records for Bedford, of which 1,473 carry a 0–5 hygiene rating. The average is the mean of those ratings; percentages exclude awaiting-inspection and exempt premises. No estimates or survey data are mixed in. Data as of 2026-06-12.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Food hygiene ratings are sourced from the Food Standards Agency at ratings.food.gov.uk. Ratings reflect the most recent inspection on record and may have changed since publication.