A kebab shop is appealing against its zero food hygiene rating.
The Food Standards Agency found that Ali’s Kebab Shop on Brandon High Street needed urgent improvement on its management of food safety and major improvement in hygienically handling food.
But shop manager Morat Yuselin said the rating is “not normal at all” for the 26-year-old business, which usually has ratings of four or five.
Problems outlined in the inspection report, carried out on February 15, included food held at 49.9C instead of the recommended 63C, and the refrigerator not being kept below 8C.
The report said: “The mayonnaise based sauce was a particular problem as it had been made the day before and the temperature of the mayonnaise was ranging between 14.5C to 18.4C.”
Mr Yuselin, who has requested a new inspection from local authority Forest Heath District Council, said the fridge had just run out of gas when the inspector arrived, adding that he had replaced the food as soon as possible.
He said: “In 26 years there has never been a problem in this shop. If you have bad food how are you going to maintain your customers for 26 years?
“This shop is very clean and it has to be a five, not zero. We sell everything fresh.”
Ali’s Kebab Shop has received mixed reviews on website Tripadvisor, with the majority of views rating the establishment “very good” but the second highest number rating it as “terrible”.
Many reviewers praised the quality of the food, but some criticised service.
According to the Food Standards Agency, a score of zero means businesses need ‘urgent improvement’ and tend to be performing poorly in the three areas of food safety officers inspect.
Mr Yuselin also said the floor, ceiling and signs had been recently replaced and are in good condition.
However the report criticised the yard as being dirty, noting a grey puddle and cracks in the ceiling and floor of the back room.
Cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were rated as “generally satisfactory”.
Unless Mr Yuselin’s appeal is heard by the district council the next inspection will be five months from now.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here