A CHINESE takeaway has been warned to drastically improve its allergen awareness after a food hygiene inspection saw it receive its second one-star rating in three years.

Fortune House, in St John's, was told to update inaccurate information about ingredients on its menu, while staff members need to brush up on their knowledge of allergens, said the report.

A city council spokesman said allergen management is a "major issue" there and the business has been "previously warned of the need to improve this" in 2017 and 2018, and "given advice on how to make improvements on both these occasions".

The eatery had been given a one-star rating two years ago but last year had jumped up to three.

Inspectors also found lights held into the ceiling by tape in the preparation room, out-of-date pest records and no lock on the toilet door during a visit on June 5.

The preparation room was in need of a thorough clean, particularly areas behind and beneath fixed equipment, to remove "all visible dirt and food debris" as well as around the pipework and ceiling in the toilet.

And all staff were told to qualify to level two standard in food safety for catering.

The takeaway owners were ordered to complete an allergen matrix and return it within two weeks, and were advised to take a free online training course.

"You need to keep your allergen ingredients separately and make sure you do not cross contaminate when making the dish," the report said, adding: "If you cannot do this I would strongly suggest you do not offer allergen free meals."

The lack of any mention of soy in the satay was highlighted as one example of information incorrectly listed in the menu.

"If customers ask you need to be able to tell them which of the 14 allergens are in the food you serve. The information on your takeaway menu is inaccurate," said the report, published on June 20.

The lights in the preparation room needed repairing or replacing, and diffusers were also recommended.

The report went went on to advise the owners to "make sure you are making regular checks for pests" and to "stop storing food in tins once opened" and instead put it in "clean, labelled, covered containers".

A missing drain cover over the wash hand basin and sink needed replacing and sanitiser and soap needed providing.

Fortune House declined to comment.