A Bradford food business has been given a lengthy list of hygiene warnings after council inspectors identified repeated risks of food contamination across two inspections.
Bradford Council’s Food Safety Team visited Zubis at Cannon Mills on Union Road in Great Horton on May 24.
A follow-up inspection was then carried out at a second site on June 12.
Council records also refer to a visit to a “home” site, although it is unclear whether this refers to the second premises or another location.
Inspectors said multiple breaches of food hygiene law had been identified and warned that urgent improvements were required.
Dirty Gloves, Sneezing And Mobile Phone Use
At the first site, inspectors said they observed a food handler wearing dirty gloves while preparing food.
The same person was reportedly seen eating, sneezing into their arm and handling a personal mobile phone without then washing their hands.
The council report warned: “These practices place ready to eat food at risk of contamination.”
The business was instructed to review its procedures and make immediate improvements.
Cooked Meat Kept Next To Raw Meat
Inspectors also raised concerns about practices at the BBQ station.
Cooked meat skewers were being kept hot on the upper rack of the BBQ alongside raw meat and poultry skewers.
The report said a cook removed cooked meat from a skewer for a customer using his hands without washing them after handling raw meat and poultry.
Inspectors warned that this created a risk of ready-to-eat food being contaminated with food poisoning bacteria.
Hand towels were also being stored on open work surfaces near raw meat skewers.
The council recommended installing hand towel dispensers at both sites.
Ready-To-Eat Food Needed Better Protection
Inspectors told the business that salad items must be kept separate from raw meat and poultry.
The report said food should be protected from contamination at every stage of preparation and sale.
It also recommended that samosas, pakoras and other fried foods displayed at the front counter should be covered and served using cloches and tongs.
Fruit and sugar cane used in drinks were also required to be stored in a way that reduced contamination risks.
Undercooked Meat Checked With Unsanitised Knife
Further problems were identified during the second inspection.
The report said a cook at the BBQ was seen cutting into meat to check whether it was ready to serve.
The meat was undercooked and the knife used to check it was not sanitised afterwards.
Inspectors described this as a contamination risk and recommended using a calibrated temperature probe instead.
The same cook was also seen handling raw meat and then cooked meat without washing his hands.
Raw Meat Stored Above Ready-To-Eat Food
Inspectors found large buckets of raw meat being stored above ready-to-eat food in refrigerators.
The council warned that this created another contamination risk and instructed the business to ensure raw and ready-to-eat products were properly separated.
The report also told staff to stop storing a jug directly inside a bucket of yoghurt sauce.
Inspectors said contamination could be transferred from a food handler’s hand onto the jug handle and then into the yoghurt.
The jug was instead required to be stored separately and kept clean.
Deep Clean Ordered
At the second site, inspectors called for a deep clean.
The equipment wash sink and wooden surfaces around the boiler also needed to be properly sealed so they could be cleaned effectively.
Vinyl coverings on equipment which prevented adequate cleaning were ordered to be removed.
Electrical and gas pipework also needed to be kept clean and free from hazards.
Inspectors said the business had completed a Safer Food Better Business pack and had records which appeared to be up to date.
However, they found that the written procedures were not consistently being followed in practice.
Cannon Mills Says Stall Was Undergoing Improvements
A spokesperson for Cannon Mills said most food stalls at the site had good hygiene ratings.
They said Zubis had been “in middle of renovations and improvements” and that the council was aware of the work.
The spokesperson added that the food traders remained welcoming and encouraged customers to visit the site and try its different multicultural food offerings.
The hygiene findings relating to Zubis do not reflect the standards of other vendors operating at Cannon Mills.
Council Says Rating Remains Unchanged
Bradford Council said the food business operator had made enquiries about a possible re-rating visit.
However, a spokesperson said a formal request for reinspection had not been submitted at the time of writing.
“As such, we have no cause to amend their Food Hygiene Rating score,” the council said.
