‘Expired milk and pest risk’ at back-to-back ZERO hygiene-rated Westgate shop

Posted by Admin November 8, 2024 Shopping

Globe News, a newsagent on Castle Street, was initially inspected by Oxford City Council’s Environmental Health team on August 9, 2023.

The business was told that “urgent improvement” was necessary as it was handed a shocking zero-out-of-five food hygiene rating.

With almost a year having passed, the shop was once again visited by Oxford City Council’s Environmental Health team, this time on Tuesday, July 30 this year.

Globe News is part of the Westgate shopping centre on Castle Street. (Image: Newsquest)

Once again, the business was handed the bottom score of zero with the team told that “urgent improvement” was still necessary.

The Oxford Mail has now obtained a copy of the full report from that inspection following a freedom of information request.

One major issue outlined was the failure to store food and drink at the correct temperatures inside the premises.

“Milk was being stored in a display chiller showing over 20 degrees and this milk had gone off,” read the report.

“You must ensure food is kept at the correct temperature or removed from sale after four hours as it is an offence to display food for sale that is not fit for human consumption.

Globe News has achieved consecutive zero hygiene ratings. (Image: Newsquest)

“At the time of my inspection, the baguettes that had been stored in the freezer for some time were still soft to touch so, once again, you must ensure you store food at the correct temperature.”

There were also structural and storage issues at Globe News which outlined a pest risk to the inspector.

“Stock was being stored directly on the floor,” added the report.

“Stock should not be stored on the floor to allow for checking for pests and cleaning. Do not store stock directly on the floor at any time.

“The grill and oven had been repaired with tape, this is not a suitable repair method.”

Inside the shop in Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

Staff hygiene was another key issue observed by the inspector on the day who witnessed several malpractices during the visit and a cross-contamination risk.

“During the course of my inspection, the staff handled open food but I did not see them wash their hands,” continued the report.

“To maintain an adequate standard of hygiene and avoid cross-contamination regular hand washing is very important and particularly before handling food, after handling refuse, after coughing or sneezing and when first entering the food handling area.

“The member of staff stated he washed his hands in the big sink and not the provided hand wash basin.

“Ensure staff are aware of the correct sink to use for hand washing.”

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— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) October 30, 2024