A restaurant has received its third 1/5 food hygiene rating since May 2022.

Despite the 'hygienic food handling' and 'cleanliness and condition of facilities and building' categories being found ‘generally satisfactory’, Hanako was told major improvement is necessary after an August 3 inspection.

The 1/5 rating was down to the 'management of food safety' category, specifically, being given a ‘major improvement necessary’ judgement.

A spokesperson for the Watford High Street Japanese restaurant said that labelling had been the main problem, as the inspector took issue with the dating system.

He added that a plan to improve is currently in the works, but it had been disrupted as Hanako suffered a break-in on August 27 amid a “horrible week” for the eatery.

The most recent inspection was not Hanako’s first 1/5, with the same score being given when it was inspected on January 26 this year.

Watford Observer: Hanako, in Watford High Street.Hanako, in Watford High Street. (Image: Google Street View)

As in the most recent report, major improvement was needed in terms of ‘management of food safety’. Hanako has shown signs of improvement, however, as both hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and building were given the ‘improvement necessary’ rating at the previous inspection.

A 1/5 rating was also given in June 2022 after an inspection the month before.

The cleanliness of the facilities was found to ‘good’, the hygienic food handling needed ‘improvement’, while the management of food safety required ‘major improvement’.

Watford Borough Council has been approached for clarification of the next steps following the repeated low ratings. Update to follow.

The Watford Observer has also requested a copy of the full report.