A Watford Chinese and Japanese takeaway has been given a 0/5 food hygiene rating - the lowest score possible.

HK Roast Ltd, which operates both Mr Sushi and Panda Oriental at 97 Vicarage Road, was handed the ‘urgent improvement necessary’ grade following an inspection by Watford Borough Council on March 11.

Environmental Health officers judged the takeaway needed ‘major improvement’ in the hygienic food handling category - which includes the preparation, cooking and storage of food.

It got the same rating for the management of food safety, which judges systems in place to ensure the food served is safe to eat, as well as whether the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.

The cleanliness and condition of the takeaway’s facilities and building, which could mean its ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, was also judged to need improvement. 

Update: as of April 24, the takeaway appears to have shut following the rating.

The two takeaways are operated from the same unit and offer online delivery, with the website for Mr Sushi advertising “great-tasting Sushi Japanese delights at affordable prices”.

It is the only business in Watford to currently be rated 0/5, while there are only 10 businesses rated 1/5 or ‘major improvement necessary’ and five with 2/5.

HK Roast has been contacted for comment.