A takeaway shop insists it has "learnt and made changes" after being hit with a 1/5 food hygiene rating.

Home Pizza in The Brow, Watford, was told "major improvement" was necessary following an inspection on November 22.

However, the shop was visited again on January 25 and the borough council confirmed significant improvements have been made.

The owner Marco Gharedaghi said that all the suggestions made by the inspector have been addressed.

Watford Observer: A screen shot of the food hygiene rating for Home Pizza taken on February 1, 2023.A screen shot of the food hygiene rating for Home Pizza taken on February 1, 2023. (Image: Screen Shot Food Standards Agency)

In the report, released to the Watford Observer yesterday (February 1), the takeaway was told to thoroughly de-scale the sink because it was coated in limescale.

It also said the pizza preparation area has a bare wood edging, which is untreated and therefore not easy to clean or disinfect.

The inspector advised the shop to seal the surface with a smooth, washable, and non-toxic material as “unsealed wood is not suitable for use in a food room”.

It was also revealed that there was a build-up of dirt on the floors in hard to reach areas of the main kitchen area, which needed to be thoroughly cleaned and maintained.

The inspector also instructed the shop to replace chopping boards as the ones in place at the time of inspection were deemed to be heavily worn and in a condition where they could not be thoroughly cleaned.

In addition, they said they discovered that rice was being cooked off site in someone’s home.

Watford Observer: Home Pizza in The Brow, before the parade of shops were rebuilt. Home Pizza in The Brow, before the parade of shops were rebuilt. (Image: Google Street View)

The inspector said this practice must stop or the home address needs to be registered as a food business and subject to food hygiene requirements.

Mr Gharedaghi said: “I have been in the business for 30 years and this has never happened before.

“But everything they said in the report was right. We have learnt and made the changes.

“My staff have gone on hygiene courses and are up to date on their knowledge again.”

He said other improvements have included a thorough cleaning of the premises and procedures have been put in place to ensure that cleanliness is maintained.

A new management system is in place, as well as a new manager and staff.