Kingston-Upon-Thames has recorded one of the biggest improvements in food hygiene standards across London, according to a new report marking the 15th anniversary of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

The report, published by online training provider High Speed Training, analysed data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) covering over 36,000 food businesses across the capital.

While London as a whole placed last in regional rankings with an average score of 4.38, Kingston jumped five places in the borough table to rank 10th, showing an improvement of 0.16 from its 2024 average rating of 4.32.

Kensington and Chelsea once again topped the London rankings with an average rating of 4.79, while Waltham Forest came bottom with just 3.89.

Overall, the capital's average food hygiene rating has slightly improved from 4.36 in 2024 to 4.38 in 2025, despite remaining the lowest ranked region in the UK.

The report revealed that 83.1% of all premises in London achieved a rating of 4 or 5, while 22.1% of takeaways and sandwich shops scored 3 or below. Across the capital, 149 premises received a zero rating and 774 received a one.

Kingston shared the title of biggest improver with Barking and Dagenham, which also increased its average rating by 0.16. In contrast, Newham saw the most significant drop, falling from 4.17 to 4.02 and slipping three positions in the rankings.

Kingston borough has an average food hygiene rating score of 4.38 (credit: High Speed Training).

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, launched in 2010, is designed to inform the public about the cleanliness and safety of food establishments based on regular inspections by local authorities. Ratings are determined by factors such as food handling, cleanliness of facilities, and food safety management.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is compulsory for businesses to display their rating, but in England this remains voluntary.

Paul Turner, an Environmental Health Officer with North Yorkshire Council, welcomed the role the scheme has played in raising standards across the UK, while calling for updates to reflect the growth of food delivery apps and a move to make rating displays mandatory in England.

"A national standard means greater consistency for businesses and provides the public easy access to this vital information," he said.

"We would also welcome a traffic light system on food delivery apps, and a legal requirement for premises to display their rating clearly, as seen in Wales and Northern Ireland."

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, stressed the importance of maintaining high standards: "Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses and their customers," he said.

"For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point. For customers, it's vital to check ratings before deciding where to eat."

To view the full report and see how Kingston compares with other boroughs, visit High Speed Training's website.