We probably don’t give it a moment’s thought when hungry, but just how clean are the places serving us our meat, fish and groceries?
Of the 1,367 businesses from Newham listed on the Food Standards Agency website, 36 have a zero out of five hygiene rating when the Recorder went to press.
That rate of 2.6 per cent of eateries and shops scoring the lowest-possible rating dwarves that of Barking and Dagenham, where only 0.2pc are rated zero, or Tower Hamlets which boasts a miniscule 0.01pc.
The total of 36 is also more than all the zero-rated businesses in Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge combined.
Eastern Eye, in High Street South, East Ham, was inspected on June 30 and found to have an infestation of German cockroaches but opened again after a re-inspection three days later.
Eat More, in Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate had a mice infestation when checked on May 29, and closed under an emergency hygiene prohibition order.
Pest control measures were introduced and a deep clean carried out before it opened after a re-inspection on June 9.
Officers inspecting Amma Chettinadu Restaurant, in High Street North, Manor Park, were greeted by a new manager who had no formal training.
The premises had no pest control contract or antibacterial spray and a blocked sink so was served with an improvement notice requiring staff to undergo food hygiene training.
Fakruddin Foods, in Romford Road, Manor Park, has been closed for refurbishment since its inspection on June 30, and is now moving a toilet out of the kitchen.
Business adviser Mamun Fadeque is helping out the owner.
“Things were not sustainable the way they were so we’re making a lot of changes and we will be reopening soon,” he said.
“The toilet has been removed from the kitchen for one thing.”
Cllr Ian Corbett, mayoral advisor for environment and leisure, said: “Councils have powers to close premises only if they pose an imminent threat to public health.
“Once this threat has been eliminated then the legislation allows the business to reopen.
“If the government was to introduce food premises licensing the council would have more powers to drive up food safety standards in businesses.
A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said: “Where businesses are given ratings of zero or one, they must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards.”
Do you use any of the 36 listed businesses? What are your views? Email mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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