A Watford café has been given a scathing food hygiene report after out of date meat and mouldy onions were found.

Café Bianco in The Parade was told “major improvement” is necessary and given a 1/5 hygiene rating after being inspected on October 26.

In the recently-published report, the inspector said they were concerned with staff’s lack of awareness of food safety systems and lack of management controls over food operations.

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But café owner Umar Farooq said he disagreed with the findings, adding: “My shop is not a one star. The inspector did not do the job properly.”

Among issues highlighted by the inspector were out of date sliced gammon and ham in the walk-in fridge, as well as mouldy onions.

As a result, the inspector advised that stock should be checked daily and thrown away if past its date.

The inspector found the wash basins were not regularly used by staff, were obstructed with cloths, did not always have hot water and did not have any soap on or near them for staff to use.  

However, the report added that staff went to buy bottles of antibacterial hand soap during the visit.

Watford Observer: The inspector did not find any soap for staff to use.The inspector did not find any soap for staff to use. (Image: Pixabay)

The inspector also found that the same chopping boards were used for raw meat and ready to eat foods, such as salads, which risks cross contamination.

They recommended having different colour chopping boards for raw meat and ready to eat foods.

As well as disputing the findings, Mr Farooq said the inspection took place when he was flying to his mother’s funeral and could not give the inspector relevant documents.

He added: “By the time I came back they issued a 1/5. More than half the report is wrong.

“I dispute it and they shouldn’t be reporting it. I don’t accept this from the council.

“They said to me in three months’ time they will come back and give a four or five-star review.”

A Watford Borough Council spokesperson said it will work with Mr Farooq to support the business until it improves its food hygiene rating.

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