Related Articles
These shocking photographs of inside a “very dirty and filthy” Hull pizza takeaway reveal why it was given the lowest possible hygiene rating after an unannounced visit from inspectors.
Photographs from a March visit to the Royal Pizza takeaway in Holderness Road, show a heavy build-up of grease in the kitchen which was described as “very dirty” by inspectors from Hull City Council. Pictures were also taken of a garlic roller which was “filthy with dirt and dried food debris attached”, while another photo shows an ice cream scoop “being kept in dirty stagnant water”. The takeaway manager and council both say major improvements have since been made.
Hull Live obtained a copy of the food hygiene report through a Freedom of Information request. In the report, inspectors were also concerned about other aspects of food safety, commenting: “Raw chicken breasts were found defrosting in water in the food wash sink. Defrosting foods using this method is very poor practice.”
Read More: The food hygiene ratings of every Hull outlet inspected so far in 2022
It continued: “There was no stock control system in place within any refrigerators, and I was quite concerned to hear one member of staff tell me that they kept cooked bolognaise for a period of five days.” The inspector said food should be kept for no longer than three days – unless the manufacturer states otherwise.
(Image: FOI)
Another problem flagged by the inspector was the door to the lobby area, leading to the staff toilet, which was “not sealed and heavily stained”. The report commented: “It (the door) did not have any handle on it and did not close properly, therefore did not provide adequate protection from airborne contamination generated from the staff WC.”
The report also highlighted potential issues with the dough. It stated: “Freshly prepared dough was touching filthy wall plugs which were situated directly above the preparation table. The plug belonged to the electric fly killer, which was not operational.”
(Image: FOI)
Finally, the report states that Royal Pizza has a food hygiene rating of zero which means “urgent improvements are necessary”. It added: “A rating of 0 puts you in the bottom 1% of food businesses in Hull.”
The takeaway’s manager Tariq said he has made vast improvements and expects a new food hygiene inspection to be carried out any day now. When asked if he could receive a five-star rating, he replied “hopefully”. Hull City Council has also said the takeaway is currently in a “clean condition” and is optimistic it will remain that way.
(Image: FOI)
A council spokeswoman said: “Our Public Protection team would like to add, that although this food premises had fallen below acceptable standards, remedial action was taken by the owner with support from Environmental Health colleagues.
“The business was allowed to reopen the week following the unannounced food hygiene inspection. The business continues to demonstrate improvements in standards. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support to the business where necessary.
“This premise is currently in a clean condition and with the training that has been completed by both staff and management, we are able to have some confidence that the improved hygiene practices now in place will be sustained in the future.”
READ NEXT:
