Zero hygiene rating is 'unfair'

LANDLADY SAYS FOOD HANDLING AND MANAGEMENT RATED 'GOOD'

- By CARL EVE

A LANDLADY who runs a popular pub in Hooe has raised her concerns about the 'unfairness' of a recent Food Hygiene Rating of zero despite inspectors saying the hygienic food handling and management of food safety was deemed good.

The recent inspection by the Food Standards Agency website for the Royal Oak Inn in Lake Road, Hooe, on May 21, found "urgent improvement necessary" with regards to "cleanliness and condition of facilities and building" according to its website.

It goes on to explain this covered "cleanliness and condition of facilities and building (including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) to enable good food hygiene."

The pub received a "good" standard for both "hygienic food handling" and "management of food safety', but the mark for cleanliness, 'urgent improvement necessary' resulted in an overall zero rating.

However, landlady Ellen Triffitt said the rating skimmed over the key details of the issue which she insisted was fixed within 24 hours of being noted.

She said: "We were given good marks on all hygiene requirements and proper food handling.