The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
City food outlets told to improve
Public safety issues at 18 premises,
Aseries of shocking reports have highlighted details of 18 Aberdeen food outlets, which have been sent “improvement needed’ notices by the council.
One restaurant was forced to take immediate action after an inspector found “evidence of a mouse infestation”.
Several organisations, ranging from restaurantsto takeaways and even a convenience store, were visited by environmental health officers this summer.
The Raj Spice, in Dyce, was severely criticised for its hygiene standards after the establishment was visited on August 5 and 8.
During the inspection, evidence was found of a “mouse infestation” in three locations: the kitchen, dry goods store and a server food counter.
Furthermore, the Raj Spice was found to have “dripping grease” and cooked meat stored at room temperatures.
A number of food outlets such as AW Herds & Sons, a butcher in Insch, and Crown News convenience store in Aberdeen were criticised for not monitoring temperatures correctly and for having unclean chopping boards.
Incorrect labelling blighted shops such as Cafe Rock on the Beach Boulevard and Blue Sea Products, the latter of which did not have a food safety management system when visited in June.
At Wonderful Chinese on George Street, an inspector found cigarette butts in the same drain as the cooking stove.
The takeaway was ordered to improve its hygiene procedures “immediately”.
Not only independent food outlets were castigated in the report.
Chiquito, a nationwide chain restaurant specialising in Tex-Mex food, was ordered to make changes to its Aberdeen branch after the inspector found dirty walls, loose canopy lights and flaking paint on kitchen pipes.
It was highlighted that food processor blades kept on the floor posed a significant hygiene and safety threat.
Ian McWatt, director of operations at Food Standards Scotland, said: “Scottish local authority environmental health officers have a crucial role to play in enforcing food law at a local level.
“They work closely with food businesses to make sure they are meeting the requirements of food hygiene regulations.
“In cases where compliance levels fall short of required standards, appropriate action is taken to ensure public health is protected.”