Hygiene shame for Hackney takeaways
The food hygiene rating scoreboard - Credit: Archant
More than 450 food premises in Hackney have below satisfactory hygiene standards with 24 needing “urgent improvement”.
Hackney is second worst in London for food hygiene. (Pic credit: Olivia Harris/PA Wire) - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
The figures, released by the Food Standards Agency, reveal that even primary schools and care homes are falling below acceptable levels of hygiene.
More than 30 per cent of businesses in the restaurant and fast food industry scored “requires improvement”, second only to Enfield in London.
One of the businesses with a zero rating was up-market butcher Ginger Pig in Lauriston Road, Homerton, which was inspected in October and closed due to evidence of mice on the premises.
A spokesman for the business, said: “We offered to close the site immediately on hearing of the issue prior to action from the Environmental Health Department. The shop stayed closed for longer than was necessary to carry out building improvements and reorganise staffing.
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“We are confident that when Hackney is re-rated, it will be back in the top ratings again with its sister shops.”
The list of 452 premises includes schools, a hospice and a care home.
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Problems with policing the 2,254 premises which serve, prepare or sell food in the borough have also led to the council being ranked 381 out of 399 local authorities in the UK for food hygiene enforcement.
However, Hackney was deemed better than nine London boroughs at enforcement, including Camden and Haringey, according to consumer website Which.
Deputy Mayor, Sophie Linden said: “We provide training and carry out spot-checks across the borough, throughout the year.
“Seventy-eight per cent of businesses are currently three stars or above, but when a business is found to be failing, we offer support and advice to ensure standards are improved quickly. If necessary we will take swift action, including closing a premises down. Any issues with food businesses should be reported to the councils environmental health team immediately.”
Find an interactive map of the hygiene ratings of all the businesses in London at caelumcontracts.com/london-food-hygiene.
