City restaurant hits back over zero hygiene rating for food
A BIRMINGHAM restaurant slapped with a zero food hygiene rating claims it will appeal.
Santorini, in Hurst Street in the city centre, was given the lowest rating by health inspectors last month.
The Food Standards Agency – which carries out unannounced health inspections on all premises serving food – said ‘urgent improvement is necessary’ in all aspects of food preparation and handling.
It also scored low in cleanliness, condition of facilities, and the management of food safety.
However, the restaurant said it would be appealing the latest hygiene rating – but would not comment any further.
A spokesman for Santorini said: “We are disputing that. We will be going to court.”
But despite its low hygiene rating, awarded on May 9 2022, the Greek restaurant is still popular with diners – having won a Travellers Choice Award.
Santorini has a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor – with more than 1,000 independent reviews, of which 812 are branded as ‘excellent’.
Food Standards Agency inspections are carried out by the local authority.
Findings are updated on the FSA website every time a new inspection is conducted.
Places are assessed on how hygienically the food is handled, cleanliness and condition of the building and facilities, and management of food safety. Premises are rated following a scheduled but unannounced inspection by environmental health officers.
Where premises fall below standard, officers carry out a range of interventions, including notices, revisits or more formal action depending on the conditions found, with the aim to bring premises back up to a broadly compliant position.