A North Yorkshire cafe received a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found mould, grease, poor hand-washing facilities and missing food safety records.
North Yorkshire Council environmental health officers inspected the Market Cafe in Richmond Market Hall on June 9 to check its food hygiene compliance.
The cafe scored one out of five, with inspectors listing a series of problems that needed fixing.
The Northern Echo obtained the full food hygiene report through a Freedom of Information request.
Inspectors found no soap or hygienic hand-drying facilities at the hand-washing basin.
A used baking tray was also being stored in the basin.
Inspectors ordered that it be “emptied, kept clean and available for use at all times for washing hands only”, with the problem to be fixed immediately.
Mould in display fridge and grease around fryers
Inspectors also found a filthy kitchen.
The report found “evidence of mould down the sides of the unit” in the display fridge, plus grease around the fryers and oven.
The cafe was ordered to “thoroughly clean and disinfect” the display fridge, oven, fryers and surrounding units immediately.
Inspectors also raised concerns about the kitchen’s condition.
Inspectors said the ceiling was “in a poor state of repair with peeling paint” and warned falling paint could contaminate food.
The business had four weeks to remove the loose paint and redecorate the ceiling.
Work-surface edging was in "poor repair" and could not be properly cleaned or disinfected. The damaged oven-door handle was also unsafe to use.
No food safety management system
Inspectors also criticised the cafe’s food-safety management.
The report said: “At the time of the visit you were unable to provide any evidence of a documented Food Safety Management System.”
It added: “There was no evidence of opening and closing checks such as fridge temperatures. There were also no records for cooking or cooling temperatures.”
The cafe also had no stock-control system for food prepared on the premises.
Inspectors said the business could not show when food was made or when it should be used by.
The council recommended date-coding high-risk foods so stock could be rotated and used before its shelf life expired.
The Northern Echo contacted the Market Cafe for comment.
Cakes had no allergen information
The inspection also found problems with allergen information.
The report said: “You were also unable to provide evidence of an allergen matrix. Cakes for sale had no allergen information, and there was no documented ingredients list for food items for sale.”
The cafe was ordered to create a documented Food Safety Management System covering purchasing, storage, preparation, cooking and service.
Inspectors said the system must cover cross-contamination, undercooking, poor temperature control, physical and chemical contamination and allergens.
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The council also recommended fly screens for kitchen windows and doors used for ventilation while high-risk open food was being handled.
The council also recommended a staff food-safety training plan and written records of completed training.
The overall rating reflected that management of food safety required "major improvement", although hygienic food handling was rated "good" and cleanliness and building condition "generally satisfactory".
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