A CHICKEN takeaway has received a one star food hygiene rating from inspectors.

Pepe's Piri Piri was given the rating, the second lowest, by Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspectors after the inspection on October 13.

A report into the Lowesmoor-based takeaway reveals that "major improvement' was necessary in the 'management of food safety' category.

This category is based around ensuring there are systems or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, there is evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.

Inspectors found Pepe's Piri Piri's standards in hygienic handling of food, and the cleanliness and conditions of the facilities and the building, were both generally satisfactory.

Franchisee Ifran Mazhar said the takeaway should have not received the low rating.

"We follow all regulations, the store is clean and tidy," he said.

"I would not compromise in any way on having poor hygiene standards, I eat food from there every day.

 

RATING: Pepes Piri Piri, Lowesmoor

RATING: Pepe's Piri Piri, Lowesmoor

 

"I have more than 15 years in the food business - this is the first time one of my stores has got below five stars.

"What happened was a new member of staff did not provide our relevant paperwork needed, on the day of the inspection.

"We are appealing it, I expect we would get a five star after a revisit."

In receiving the rating the takeaway joins the short list of Worcester food businesses with the one star rating, which includes Age UK Worcester And District Lunch Club, Bilford Court and Your’s Pizza Bite / Little India in Ronkswood Hill, and O Nosso Cafe in London Road.

No business in Worcester has zero stars, the lowest rating.

Ratings are judged by inspectors over 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.

If managers disagree with a rating, or believe their business has been upgraded since receiving the rating listed on the FSA website, food.gov.uk, they should contact the FSA directly.

All information published is based on results on the FSA website, food.gov.uk, and is correct as of October 22, 2021, with inspections listed as the latest carried out.