Testing times for zero star outlets (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Testing times for zero star outlets
9:10am Wednesday 2nd September 2009 in News
TEN food outlets with the worst food hygiene ratings have been named by Swindon Council.
The council decided to highlight the “zero star” premises as part of its ongoing Scores on Doors campaign — which aims to give the public a better idea of conditions in places where they are eating.
Businesses among the 10 include two kebab takeaways, a farm kitchen, two Chinese restaurants, a catering department, two convenience stores, a Mexican restaurant and a hotel.
The 10 businesses, which account for four per cent of the borough’s food outlets, were given zero stars out of a six star rating system.
According to the council a zero star indicates unacceptable hygiene conditions, almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations and the likelihood of poor hygiene, poor cleaning and the risk of cross contamination.
Zero star outlets face up to four inspections per year, and are served with hygiene improvement notices.
Certificates showing the zero star rating are also handed out by the council, but the businesses are under no obligation to display them publicly.
In the most serious cases of poor food hygiene the council has the authority to use enforcement notices and emergency closure powers.
Phil Thomas, head of regulatory services at the council, said: “These inspections are important as they help keep consumers safe and give them confidence they are eating from a safe environment.
“There have been 10 zero stars given in the last eight months which shows the severity of what it’s like.”
Scores on the Doors was introduced in April 2007, and every year more than 400 Swindon food outlets are inspected.
Louise Doughty, Swindon Council’s safety food officer, said: “We are looking for a number of issues that include staff training, food hygiene, structural hygiene, temperature control, the process of re-heating, pest control and waste practice.
“We want to be sure safe practices are being put into place to make sure there is no risk to the public.”
Mrs Doughty could not discuss individual cases but said that if any of the zero star premises had shown an imminent danger to health they would have been subject to immediate enforcement action.
Councillor Colin Lovell, cabinet member for a safer and stronger borough, said: "The majority of Swindon food businesses do comply with the law and many are very good indeed.
“Unfortunately a small minority have been shown to have very poor standards during the unannounced inspections.
“Star ratings will hopefully give the public more confidence in the places they eat and give them a better understanding of the standards of food hygiene.
“Hopefully this scheme will encourage businesses to maintain a good standard.”
Ten zero rated outlets
Hythe Road Stores in Hythe Road, Old Town
No-one was available to comment.
Lower Shaw Farm in Old Shaw Lane, Shaw
Andrea Hirsch, project coordinator of Lower Shaw Farm, said: “There were issues connected with an old farm house kitchen. We have had an upgrade since then and been given a clean bill of health.”
La Casa in Devizes Road, Old Town
A spokesman for La Casa said: “A number of improvements have been made since our inspection three months ago. Come December we expect to pass our next inspection with flying colours.”
Princetons Grill in Market Street, town centre
No-one was available to comment.
M Nawaz Food Store in Broad Street, town centre
“No comment” was given when contacted by the Adver yesterday.
Oriental Express in Clive Parade, Pinehurst
No-one was available to comment.
Cosmo Restaurant in Linden Court, Holbrook Way, town centre
No-one was available to comment.
UK Leisurewear in Westmead Drive, West Swindon
Sarah Kamphaug, the human resources manager, said: “This was a staffing issue and we have since made changes to the staff on the basis of this.”
Walcot Kebab & Pizzeria in Sussex Square, Walcot
No-one was available to comment.
Ivy Hotel in Moormead Road, Wroughton
Proprietor Darius Keynejad said: “We are really disappointed, as we serve hundreds of people every week and they are all really happy. “We have never had anything like this before. It is a big
shock. All of the issues are minor and we are addressing them straight away.”
Comments(42)
onefortheroad
says...
9:20am Wed 2 Sep 09
Taffynut
says...
9:22am Wed 2 Sep 09
It can lead to food poisoning and cause illness. So action MUST be taken.
swindonistani
says...
9:22am Wed 2 Sep 09
NAME & SHAME!
Disco20
says...
9:28am Wed 2 Sep 09
Fubar
says...
9:37am Wed 2 Sep 09
http://tinyurl.com/m
h7skt
Raef Barnes
says...
9:38am Wed 2 Sep 09
Cosmo's, Linden Court
Oriental Express, Clive Parade
They're the ones I remember from the list.
samjallen
says...
9:44am Wed 2 Sep 09
Captain Sensible
says...
9:48am Wed 2 Sep 09
Dragon Lady
says...
10:43am Wed 2 Sep 09
Raef Barnes wrote:S'cuse me, am I missing something here??? I have just reread the article and there, right at the end, is a list of all 10 complete with comments (or lack thereof) from their spokespersin. I think this qualifies as 'named and shamed'. Good reporting I say.
La Casa, Devizes Road Cosmo's, Linden Court Oriental Express, Clive Parade They're the ones I remember from the list.
Home Boy
says...
10:46am Wed 2 Sep 09
Dragon Lady wrote:I think it's just been updated, the list wasnt there earlier.
Raef Barnes wrote:S'cuse me, am I missing something here??? I have just reread the article and there, right at the end, is a list of all 10 complete with comments (or lack thereof) from their spokespersin. I think this qualifies as 'named and shamed'. Good reporting I say.
La Casa, Devizes Road Cosmo's, Linden Court Oriental Express, Clive Parade They're the ones I remember from the list.
_
How about a list of the 5 star premises as well? That would be just as useful! :-)
matt holland
says...
10:49am Wed 2 Sep 09
1. The food outlets are named, in the newspaper itself.
2. Most of the places named and their food are no threat to health. The Council makes this clear with a carefully worded disclaimer on their website.
3. Most of the places named have already made the necessary changes and improvements to keep up with 21st century hygiene requirements.
4. Owners of food outlets and the Council's health officers are all keen to make sure no one gets poisoned and good standards are maintained. They are working together to succeed.
4. All's well. Don't worry. Keep calm. Read and look into things more carefully before you fly off the handle at the first sight of alarmist headlines.
Save your outrage. You may really need it, one day . . .
Captain Sensible
says...
10:52am Wed 2 Sep 09
Trend
says...
11:32am Wed 2 Sep 09
Home Boy
says...
11:47am Wed 2 Sep 09
Mr Blackwell
says...
11:57am Wed 2 Sep 09
To be fair though, I ended up thanking them as I lost 3/4 of a stone without even trying.
IzzyP
says...
12:14pm Wed 2 Sep 09
I watched a man lick his fingers and dip them into several dishes to taste. I was equally horror struck by a sweet table that looked like it has been bombed, contained semi defrosted ice-cream and a man-handled chocolate fountain.....yum.
Raef Barnes
says...
12:55pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Dragon Lady wrote:Excuse me, I assume you quoted the wrong individual here as I haven't complained about anything here at all.
Raef Barnes wrote: La Casa, Devizes Road Cosmo's, Linden Court Oriental Express, Clive Parade They're the ones I remember from the list.S'cuse me, am I missing something here??? I have just reread the article and there, right at the end, is a list of all 10 complete with comments (or lack thereof) from their spokespersin. I think this qualifies as 'named and shamed'. Good reporting I say.
Someone asked which restaurants were on the list and I replied (a few moments after some other posters had jotted down the whole list).
Chill out for goodness sake.
And fair play to the Adver for posting the restaurants, with comments later on.
Bobfm
says...
1:17pm Wed 2 Sep 09
That said I have from day one been a critic of this system. I attended a pre-launch conference held by SBC, against the back ground of then Senior EHO being against it's introduction, and I soon learnt why.
Up until this system most food outlets used what is known as the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), which is a systematic approach to food safety.and hygiene.
This entailed identify risk factors based on previously establish good practise. It worked extremely well, but was not paper intensive. You had to demonstrate to the EHO that you actually understood why you were doing things etc. Of course they physically inspected all your work areas and gave advice and made constructive comment.
Along came Scores of the Doors and a prescriptive approach was introduced and was paper based. Without going into too much detail, the new system has very little to do with testing the 'ability' of the premises to demonstrate good practice, rather demonstrate you can fill out the Safer food better business portfolio produced by the Food Standards Agency.
I continue to operate the HACCP system and my establishment can demonstrate a superior mthods of good practice which got us the 5 stars. It of remains to be seen whether my next inspection is done by an Inspector who understands the difference between a prescriptive approach and what I consider to be a superior approach to hygiene. Given two of the three critical 'tests' of the FSA system are paperwork based, who know.
What I would say to all those are immediately prepared to condemn these establishment, ask yourself a very simple question, if these were so bad as to not warrant one star, why are they still open. ?
saymybit
says...
1:19pm Wed 2 Sep 09
RF1
says...
1:27pm Wed 2 Sep 09
All the items must therefore have been minor and quickly fixed - hence some saying they had already attended to the concerns raised - so the concern is old news and rather unworthy of a naming ann shaming rougue's gallery?
If the Police stopped you and told you your car had a tail light was out and you fixed it the next day - would you mind if they printed your name on their website as someone found with an unroadworthy vehicle?
As if you would.....
So why publicise it at all - does SBC once again feel the need to justify their jobs to us because of some feeling of insecurity?
By all means check and note and follow up - after that only publicise if they have failed to remedy the faults - and publicise it by shutting them down!
Bobfm
says...
1:31pm Wed 2 Sep 09
As I said early I have never favoured this system.
RF1
says...
1:38pm Wed 2 Sep 09
A local story affecting local people and the Adver seem uninterested in our opinions - or are they secretly in favour of Swindon businesses and residents being held to ransom by our militant friends in the Post Office?
Are the strikers scared of debate and constructive criticism?
Answers on a postcard please - though I don't know when we may receive them!!!!!
Disco20
says...
1:46pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Disco20 wrote:I now stand corrected, the 10 outlets have now been added to the article...
Bad reporting.. It begins with the promise to name the "zero star" premises and then.. Low and behold.. No names given...
Security word = Hope-soon, quite apt me thinks
Mr Blackwell
says...
2:01pm Wed 2 Sep 09
It not, what, exactly, is the point of it?
RF1
says...
2:04pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Mr Blackwell wrote:...or can we have a list of the top 10 "star" performers?
BTW, does anyone know if the outlets that received zero stars are legally obliged to show this on their premises, or doors to their premises? It not, what, exactly, is the point of it?
Is it just me or does it seem strange they managed to find exactly 10 premises with no stars?
Not 12, not 8, not 15 - but exxactly 10......
Dragon Lady
says...
2:31pm Wed 2 Sep 09
critique
says...
4:04pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Then their press department puts out a release using the worst kind of tabloid journalism techniques to stir the whole issue up. It would be better if they stuck to the facts and let the town's media outlet tart up the story.
There is also an issue of latent racism. A Mexican, a Chinese and a kebab shop! Why were the English establishments not listed in the first paragraph of the press release?
The council's press department need to review what they're about.
Always Grumpy
says...
4:22pm Wed 2 Sep 09
matt holland wrote:Hmmmm, sounds like the reaction from someone who has been given a zero rating and is trying to make light of the matter!
The outrage in these posts is unnecessary and misdirected.
1. The food outlets are named, in the newspaper itself.
2. Most of the places named and their food are no threat to health. The Council makes this clear with a carefully worded disclaimer on their website.
3. Most of the places named have already made the necessary changes and improvements to keep up with 21st century hygiene requirements.
4. Owners of food outlets and the Council's health officers are all keen to make sure no one gets poisoned and good standards are maintained. They are working together to succeed.
4. All's well. Don't worry. Keep calm. Read and look into things more carefully before you fly off the handle at the first sight of alarmist headlines.
Save your outrage. You may really need it, one day . . .
bob0808
says...
5:28pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Basically as a customer you need to make up your own mind from what you see and the quality of your food, if the restaurant is dirty you can imagine what the kitchen is like same as if the food is cold, undercooked or does not seem fresh go somewhere else and they will soon close down soon.
I have eaten as some of these named restaurants and will not make be stop going as I know now they will be trying twice as hard with more regular checks so prob the best time to visit lol
kabbalistic
says...
6:04pm Wed 2 Sep 09
RF1 wrote:If you go on the website you can check the star rating of any food premises in Swindon.
Mr Blackwell wrote: BTW, does anyone know if the outlets that received zero stars are legally obliged to show this on their premises, or doors to their premises? It not, what, exactly, is the point of it?...or can we have a list of the top 10 "star" performers? Is it just me or does it seem strange they managed to find exactly 10 premises with no stars? Not 12, not 8, not 15 - but exxactly 10......
In response to those who say scores on doors isn't any good, it might not be a perfect system but it's a lot better than no system at all! At least it gives us an idea of where the poor standards have been - you simply did not know before.
And to those people who say it's just about paperwork - that is total and utter garbage. The article clearly says that no stars means "unacceptable hygiene conditions, almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations and the likelihood of poor hygiene, poor cleaning and the risk of cross contamination".....H
ow is poor hygiene and poor cleaning a paperwork issue?!
Bobfm
says...
6:16pm Wed 2 Sep 09
HACCP is a far superior system. My establishments have never failed an inspection in 25 years, not because we gear up to an inspection but because we maintain the standard all the time.
I would just add that a former Senior EHO said that I was one of only four Swindon establishments that he would have no problem eating in.
Mr Blackwell
says...
7:14pm Wed 2 Sep 09
**Jesus wept, are you for real?**
ross warren
says...
8:46pm Wed 2 Sep 09
Always Grumpy wrote:That sounds like the Matt Holland I know, utterly unable to cope with critics and overblown in his attempts to put his side of the case. I had one meal at Shaw Farm and wouldn’t dream of repeating the experience. To be fair to Matt and his wife it was before his time but the baked potatoes that I was served still had a thick coating of good organic soil on them. I still can’t get to the bottom of Shaw Farm, but just in case Mr Holland is in the mood for serving up some of his self serving verbiage, I would love to know when Shaw Farm stopped being an Organic farm commune and became a home from home for the Holland family.
matt holland wrote: The outrage in these posts is unnecessary and misdirected. 1. The food outlets are named, in the newspaper itself. 2. Most of the places named and their food are no threat to health. The Council makes this clear with a carefully worded disclaimer on their website. 3. Most of the places named have already made the necessary changes and improvements to keep up with 21st century hygiene requirements. 4. Owners of food outlets and the Council's health officers are all keen to make sure no one gets poisoned and good standards are maintained. They are working together to succeed. 4. All's well. Don't worry. Keep calm. Read and look into things more carefully before you fly off the handle at the first sight of alarmist headlines. Save your outrage. You may really need it, one day . . .Hmmmm, sounds like the reaction from someone who has been given a zero rating and is trying to make light of the matter!
ross warren
says...
8:54pm Wed 2 Sep 09
I would have said that the professionals found your facilities to be inadequate, and the outrage is fair.
Rather than trying your best to make light of their findings you should be reassuring the public that this situation will be sorted out quickly, promptly and completely. Time to eat a little humble pie Mr Holland.
RF1
says...
9:29pm Wed 2 Sep 09
kabbalistic wrote:...and just how unacceptable does unacceptable have to be before this marvellous rating system you seem to like results in action against the premises to safeguard the consumer then?
RF1 wrote:If you go on the website you can check the star rating of any food premises in Swindon. In response to those who say scores on doors isn't any good, it might not be a perfect system but it's a lot better than no system at all! At least it gives us an idea of where the poor standards have been - you simply did not know before. And to those people who say it's just about paperwork - that is total and utter garbage. The article clearly says that no stars means "unacceptable hygiene conditions, almost total non-compliance with statutory obligations and the likelihood of poor hygiene, poor cleaning and the risk of cross contamination".....H ow is poor hygiene and poor cleaning a paperwork issue?!Mr Blackwell wrote: BTW, does anyone know if the outlets that received zero stars are legally obliged to show this on their premises, or doors to their premises? It not, what, exactly, is the point of it?...or can we have a list of the top 10 "star" performers? Is it just me or does it seem strange they managed to find exactly 10 premises with no stars? Not 12, not 8, not 15 - but exxactly 10......
Plus the fact that the info is out-of-date by the time it is published makes it worthless - just what is the point of being told that if you had ate at Joes 3 months ago you might have got food poisoning?
That's like going to watch Swindon a week after the game and being handed a slip of paper telling about the game you missed.
Utterly worthless info making it indeed no more than a paper exercise.
Loveall
says...
8:02am Thu 3 Sep 09
her_in_doors2
says...
8:36am Thu 3 Sep 09
Loveall wrote:Thank goodness this isn’t the only industry that does this. I work in the Social Care Sector governed by CQC (formerly CSCI). They ring up letting you know when they are coming, usually two or three week’s time. From a workers point of view it was obvious a visit was due, out came the best fire extinguishers, we were overrun with incontinence pads, the laundry cupboard was full and the flower shops were empty. After the inspection everything went back into the cupboard for another year. Un-announced inspections should be a “routine” occurrence – if there can be such a thing as a routine unannounced inspection!!!!
I used to work in Sainsburys and we always knew when we were having a visit from management as the rotting crap in the warehouse was sorted and they pulled in extra night workers to fill the selves so that it looked great for the management. If you know that an inspection is due many people will change working practice and do what they should have in the first place - just to pass.And on a personal note -is it just me that thinks squirty cream should not be allowed on puddings ect in food places - in my eyes its not real, know matter what it says on the can.
Bobfm
says...
9:18am Thu 3 Sep 09
She may well be write in practice, however legally the scores on the doors has no status. It is not a National Scheme, and is currently under review as there are so many different variations. The FSA as always can't make up it's mind what it wants.
If you can demonstrate you are complying with the January 2006 regulations using HACCP, the council cannot mark you down, just for failing to use the 'guide', as the very page How to Use this pack says. These (regulations) say that you must be able to show what you do to make food that is safe to eat.
The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 states very clearly and I quote:
Article 5(1) of Regulation 852/2004 Requirement that food business operators put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the HACCP principles.
If the LA fail to follow that principle by marking someone down for not using the FSA document they could find themselves liable to a civil action.
As for the ten establishments themselves, I have only eaten at one and that is the Ivy Hotel, when at an FSB Networking event. The place certainly was very clean and well manicured. The food whilst not to my specific tastes was well cooked and well presented, but of course little attention is given to this in the inspection itself.
Let us hope that the any new system devised will an improvement, however I suspect things could get worse in that the system being favoured as I understand would be just pass or fail. Quite what happens with the failed establishment is yet to be decided.
Bobfm
says...
9:56am Thu 3 Sep 09
As for the larger establishments it is clearly wrong that appointments are made. EHO's/LA's deny it but it is the reality.
ross warren
says...
7:20pm Thu 3 Sep 09
Bobfm
says...
10:24am Sat 5 Sep 09
By continuing to use HACCP I though not intentionally, create an administrative problem for the EHO, they cannot tick there proforma guides. They have to actually read my policy document which is cross referenced to my fire safety policy (as the two go hand in glove), inspect my temperature control sheets, and my cleaning schedules. Inspect my staff qualifications. Talk to my staff and inspect the kitchen.
This HACCP system has served me in good stead for years and I see not only no reason to change, but legally it is a requirement of The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 to adopt a policy with the principles of HACCP. I do not think Scores on the Doors does that.
saymybit says...
9:16am Wed 2 Sep 09