NINE businesses in the city have received one star food hygiene ratings from health inspectors.
The rating is the next to lowest on the zero to five scale used by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and means that "major improvement is necessary".
The nine to receive the rating in the most recently published inspection results are: Powick Kebab operating from a mobile van at the layby between Hams Way And Malvern A449 Roundabout, Atila Kebabs which is described as a mobile caterer, Curry Hut in Upper Tything, Dixy Chicken in Sidbury, Happy Taste in Orchard Street, Kays in The Cross, the Premier's Red Hill Store in Prestwich Avenue, Severn View Hotel And Bar in Newport Street and Watan Supermarket in Cole Hill.
The FSA scheme gives businesses a rating from five to zero and the takeaways are forced to display the information on their premises and online, so consumers can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food.
The ratings available range from 5 - hygiene standards are very good, to zero - urgent improvement is required. No city takeaways are currently listed on the FSA site as having a zero website, although Panama Jacks in Angel Street made headlines earlier this year for receiving the worst possible rating.
READ MORE: Worcester restaurant given zero food hygiene rating
The Texas-style burger and steakhouse was later retested in April but again received the poorest rating, before eventually closing.
Ratings are judged by inspectors on the standards in the handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, cleanliness of facilities and pest control, how food safety is managed and evidence staff know about food safety.
All information published is based on results on the FSA website as of June 24, 2019, and inspections are listed as the latest carried out.
If managers disagree with a rating, or believe their business has been upgraded since receiving the one-star rating listed on the FSA website, they should contact the FSA directly.
Managers can also request a new inspection through the website.
Helen Cameron, food safety manager at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: “The food hygiene ratings are about putting power into the hands of the public because they can see at a glance the standard of hygiene in restaurants, cafes, take-aways and food retailers.
"If a business only scores one out of five, they will be given a written action plan on how to improve their standards and could face enforcement action if improvements are not made.
"We encourage people to alert us to any issues they find at food outlets on 01905 822799 or food.gov.uk."
A reporter attempted to contact each of the takeaways for a response.
The takeaways that have received five stars will be reported on in the Worcester News later this week.
1. Powick Kebab
Layby Between Hams Way And Malvern A449 Roundabout Worcester (mobile caterer)
Date of Inspection: March 20, 2019
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Improvement necessary
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Generally satisfactory
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
2. Atila Kebabs
Address given on FSA website as Camberwell Drive, Worcester (Mobile caterer)
Date of inspection: 05 March 2019
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Major improvement necessary
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Generally satisfactory
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
3. Curry Hut
Upper Tything, Worcester
Date of inspection: 19 December 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Good
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Good
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
4. Dixy Chicken
Sidbury, Worcester
Date of inspection: April 25, 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Good
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Good
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: Did not respond to the Worcester News’ request for comment
5. Happy Taste
Orchard Street, Worcester
Date of inspection: March 12, 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Good
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Good
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
6. Kays
The Cross, Worcester
Date of Inspection: November 29, 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Improvement necessary
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Good
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
7. Premier - Red Hill Store
Prestwich Avenue, Worcester
Date of inspection: January 4, 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Improvement necessary
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Improvement necessary
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: No one was available
8. Severn View Hotel And Bar
Newport Street, Worcester
Date of inspection: April 1, 2019
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Generally satisfactory
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Improvement necessary
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: Indy Singh, the hotel manager, told us in April that the rating would be improved once the correct food safety management system has been adopted and said the report was exaggerated, with the kitchen thoroughly cleaned following the latest inspection.
The hotel was contacted yesterday for an update, but no one responded to the Worcester News’ request for comment
9. Watan Supermarket
Cole Hill, Worcester
Date of inspection: October 30, 2018
Inspection found:
Hygienic food handling - Generally satisfactory
Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Improvement necessary
Management of food safety - Major improvement necessary
Response: Did not respond to the Worcester News’ request for comment
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