In the latest round of food hygiene inspections, five more premises in Blackburn with Darwen received zero star ratings from the Food Standards Agency.
Those establishments were as follows:
- ABC Foods, 14-16 King Street Blackburn, BB2 2DH, last inspection 19 August 2021
- Aftabs, 1 Leach Street Blackburn, BB2 3SE, last inspection 28 August 2021
- Antalya Turkish Cuisine, 1 Hurstwood Avenue Blackburn, BB2 4TH, last inspection 13 September 2021
- Fry Days, 50 New Chapel Street Blackburn, BB2 4DT, last inspection 27 August 2021
- Mohammed & Sons, 35-37 Pringle Street Blackburn, BB1 1SD, last inspection 1 September 2021
After submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Blackburn with Darwen Council, we have managed to obtain the inspection reports for all five venues and can now reveal exactly why those establishments were given such low ratings.
Today we will deal with ABC Foods and Aftabs.
ABC Foods is a convenience store/polish supermarket and was visited by hygiene inspectors four times in less than two months.
The FOI revealed that the store, on King Street in Blackburn, was handed a zero food hygiene rating on August 19 by the Food Standards Agency after failing to keep records of any staff training, food safety documents or temperature records.
A second visit was made on September 29 where advice was given to staff, who responded by assuring the inspectors that temperatures were being taken and staff were being trained.
Another visit was made on October 4, where it was discovered a new owner had taken over the shop, with inspectors telling staff to complete training and complete a new food registration.
A fourth visit was then made two days later where the owners were advised about when an official re-inspection could take place.
Overall ABC Foods were told to put in place written food procedures to show the food they sell is safe.
The inspection report noted: "They must monitor and keep records of fridge temperatures for the cooked and raw meat fridges and the dairy, cheese, milk and yoghurt product fridges as soon as possible.
"Staff should also be trained in food hygiene to ensure they can safely carry out their work. This must be done within two weeks."
A second convenience store, Aftabs, on Leach Street in Blackburn was inspected on August 28 and given a zero food hygiene rating.
In their report, inspectors noted how old mouse droppings had been found in the premise, how repairs to the roof needed completing, how no allergen training had been carried out and how items placed on the stairs had resulted in a fire risk.
They ordered the owners to complete free allergen training on the Food Standards Agency website, engage in competent pest control, move stock from the area where roof repairs were being carried out and remove and clear any stock causing fire hazards and risks.
During a revisit on September 21, inspectors said: "The owner was adamant the droppings were the ends of metal product holders which were holding glues. I saw no droppings during this visit."
The owner was advised to keep training records on site at all times and was advised of what steps to take in order to request a re-inspection.
In both circumstances, no further action was taken against the shops and they will be reinspected in due course.
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