‘Wrong paperwork’ blamed for bakery’s low hygiene rating
BOSSES at a popular bakery have blamed ‘incorrect paperwork’ after being given a one-star food hygiene rating.
Great Harwood’s Finch Bakery, owned by sisters Lauren and Rachel Finch, opened in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. But according to a Facebook post written by one of the owners, the eatery is due to be slapped with a one-star rating following a visit from council bosses.
Writing on social media on May 8, Rachel Finch explained the low score is based on the sisters “unknowingly” having the “incorrect paperwork”. As a result, they say, a one-star rating was automatically awarded.
According to the Food Standards Agency, a onestar rating means “major improvement is necessary” with a zero-star, “urgent improvement is required”,
being the lowest rating an establishment can receive.
In regards to Finch Bakery, Rachel Finch’s post on Facebook claimed that the bakery would have received five stars if their paperwork had been up-to-scratch.
The bakery were told they had been categorised in ‘Category E’, meaning the establishment handles “low-risk” foods such as eggs, as opposed to meat and fish and is only sub
jected to an inspection every three or four years.
The sister claimed: “Since our business has grown so much in the past few years we were told the current paperwork we have been using and passing inspections for six years no longer complies with our business, and we needed to get a bespoke document made.”
She stated that the food inspector had been “happy” with the “food prep, food
storage, machinery, clean down, uniforms, pest control, waste, general hygiene and cleanliness” but had fallen short on the documentation.
Rachel also mentions their stringent adherence to Natasha’s Law and having clear allergen information on their foodstuff.
Natasha’s Law came into effect in 2021, requiring businesses to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on pre-packaged foods sold on the premises.
The Facebook post from Finch Bakery read: “All of our customers know we pride ourselves on being so vigilant with allergens in the shop and when selling online (all items are labelled with full ingredients list for allergens and for those with dietary requirements) and had several meetings with EH before and since Natasha’s Law, so to say we’re gutted for missing this paperwork is an understatement.”
Rachel claims the sisters were unaware of the required documentation they needed for the inspection and have since had meetings and phone calls with Hyndburn Borough Council to rectify the situation and gather the correct documentation. She also claims that “one piece of cardboard on the floor” along with the paperwork are the only reasons for the rating.
The bakery will be revisited by inspectors in July, where the bakery hopes to reclaim its five-star rating.