THE full details behind a damning inspection that caused Ramside Hall Hotel to achieve a poor food safety rating and left requiring "major improvements" have been revealed.

A report into the conditions of the County Durham hotel following a visit by food safety inspectors from Durham County Council has today been obtained by The Northern Echo.

Dated Tuesday, January 21, the report reveals the key reasons as to why the four-star AA resort was handed its 'one-star' food safety rating. 

Significant issues ranging from how hygienically the food was handled, food storage, poor cleaning and unclean equipment were identified in the damning visit.

Looking primarily at the business's four main catering facilities - The Rib Kitchen, Pemberton Kitchen, Fusion Kitchen and the Gold Club - conditions were described as "completely unacceptable" and significant improvement required as a "matter of urgency."

'Mould formed on light fitting in fridge'

Inspectors found that the general standard of cleanliness throughout all four kitchens was 'poor' with areas showing a build up of grease, food debris and detritus in food storage, handling, preparation and servery area.

Inspectors reported ventilation units covered with a layer of mould growth, kitchen wall surfaces covered with a layer of blackened 'flocculated' mass, and mould was formed on lighting within refrigerated units.

The report said: "Foods, namely ready to eat cakes were being stored uncovered in a refrigerated unit used to store a variety of food types.

"The main area of concern related to the mould formation on the light fitting and the fact that the cakes were uncovered exposing the products to risk.

"All foods must be kept in appropriate conditions to prevent harmful deterioration and to protect from contamination."

'Risk of bacteria'

Inspectors were concerned to find a food equipment in two of its kitchens were 'dirty, greasy and grimy' with accumulated and encrusted old food debris.

The report said: "The saladette and the microwave ovens in the Pemberton kitchen; the bain marie unit in the Main/Rib kitchen; food containers in the Fusion kitchen and the servery units at the front of house within the Pemberton area were dirty, greasy and grimy with accumulated, encrusted old food debris."

Inspectors also found perished wooden servery boards used to serve steaks, burgers and other food items, posed a food safety hazard as boards were starting to show signs of splitting allowing an accumulation of bacteria.

'Floor could not effectively cleaned'

Several of the fridge seals had deteriorated to the extent they were coming away from the equipment - steel racking units were rusting and the food mixer exterior paintwork was found to be flaking.

Inspectors also found the tiled floor in the Rib Room's dishwashing areas was missing areas of grouting which meant the floor leading to the equipment store could not be effectively cleaned or maintained.

'Lack of supervisory control'

Based on the inspection, inspectors said the business needed a "major improvement" when it came to confidence in management.

The report said: "The poor hygienic and cleaning practices seem during the inspection, together with an identified lack of supervisory control over the practices indicates that the procedures detailed within the organisations food safety management system are not being implemented."

'The company have addressed the report'

In response to being handed the one-star rating, a spokesperson for Ramside Hall Hotel said: “Following an inspection at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa by the Environmental Health Officer, the company immediately addressed the action points and all structural works noted within the inspection.

“A second audit was then carried out by the EHO where it was confirmed that Ramside had satisfactorily undertaken all the remedial work required.

“The final audit on the premises is due to take place in the next three weeks, at which time the hotel will receive a revised hygiene rating.”