A well-known County Durham Italian restaurant has been hit with a one-star hygiene rating after washing raw chicken livers in a sink before cooking, and cooked sliced meats used for Sunday lunches were reportedly left at room temperature for up to four hours.
The problems were found in La Spada Ristorante, on Front Street in Pity Me, after inspectors uncovered a wide range of failings during a visit on October 27 this year.
Environmental health officers examined the kitchen and storage areas and found what they described as "multiple breaches of food safety law".
One of the first issues they flagged involved the restaurant’s handwashing arrangements. Inspectors discovered “a sieve stored in the wash hand basin in the kitchen,” which they stated must be “used for handwashing only”.
More serious concerns were raised about the handling of raw meat.
Officers were informed that raw chicken livers were routinely washed in a sink before cooking, a practice they said “creates a serious risk of contamination” and must “cease immediately”.
Temperature control issues were also highlighted after cooked sliced meats used for Sunday lunches were reportedly left at room temperature for up to four hours.
Inspectors warned that this presented “a risk of bacterial growth that could lead to food poisoning".
Problems with food storage were found throughout the fridges.
Bread was discovered next to raw beef mince, while a “plate of raw salmon was stored on top of a plate of pancakes”.
Bottles of cream were also stored near raw fish, with the report stating that cooked or ready-to-eat foods “must always be stored separately and above any hazardous raw foods”.
A lack of disinfectant in the kitchen was also noted, with inspectors writing that “there was no disinfectant spray available at the time of inspection".
The report revealed that several foods and cleaning products were being stored outdoors, a practice inspectors criticised because food must be kept in areas “free of contamination risks, pest-proofed and capable of being kept clean”.
Numerous pieces of equipment were dirty too, with the microwave, tin opener, hobs, fridge door seals and pipework behind the fryer all requiring thorough cleaning, according to inspectors.
The most significant issue highlighted was the absence of a food safety management system.
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At the time of the visit, inspectors reported that “there was no evidence” of such a system being in place.
Concerns were also raised about allergen controls, particularly in relation to the restaurant offering gluten-free dishes.
Inspectors said they were “not satisfied” that cross-contamination risks had been fully considered, warning that before offering allergen-free meals, the business must "show suitable control measures to prevent any cross-contamination risk.”
La Spada Ristorante has been contacted for a comment, but didn't respond to The Northern Echo's request for a statement.
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