'Dirty' Peak District café near Sheffield slammed with zero-star hygiene rating as legal notice issued
Surfaces, equipment and structural surfaces, including walls, floors and ceilings, were “visibly dirty”
A cafe popular with walkers from Sheffield has received a very poor hygiene rating
Inspectors were left “concerned” by a popular Peak District café which failed a microbiological sample test and had a history of food safety issues.
Grindleford Station Cafe and Spring Water Supply, at Station Road, Upper Padley, Grindleford, received a zero-star hygiene rating following an inspection on March 5 – meaning “major improvement is necessary.”
A report reveals food handlers in the kitchen “did not have sufficient management supervision or general understanding of food hygiene and safety procedures to operate the kitchen safely.”
Surfaces, equipment and structural surfaces, including walls, floors and ceilings, were “visibly dirty.”
The microwaves were “dirty, with a build-up of debris.”
Dirt was found in fridges and freezers – including the fans and seals – while the raw meat fridge had a rust build up.
The floor was dirty at the time of inspection with uncooked chips stored on a tray “very close to the muddy area.”
The splashback behind the cookline was “visibly dirty with streaks and marks” while the wall coverings at lower levels were “dirty, with splash marks from food”.
The walls in the chipping room were "heavily soiled” and “a lot of cobwebs” were noted at high levels.
Cleaning and disinfection practises within the kitchen were found to be “inadequate” – despite “previous unsatisfactory microbiological sample results.”
According to the Food Standards Agency website, when a microbiological sample fails, it often points to issues including cross-contamination, poor personal hygiene or improper cleaning of equipment.
The failed microbiological samples at Grindleford Station Cafe included a food preparation surface, showing cleaning and disinfection at the premises was “not adequate.”
Staff confirmed that cleaning practices had not been reviewed or increased following the failed results, the report states.
Discussions around the sample results clarified that both sinks next to the potato rumbling and chipping machines were used for discarding of mop water only – meaning one of the sinks was no longer used for hand washing.
Inspectors concluded that the area was “high risk for contamination and a distance away from the only wash hand basin on site.”
It was suggested that a separate hand wash basin should be introduced in this “high-risk” food preparation area.
Further safety concerns were raised due to dual use of some surfaces including “dirty” vegetables stored next to ready to eat food and a “visibly dirty” surface used for traying up bacon next to microwaves and deep fat fryers.
Inspectors found that staff training and supervision was “inadequate” with workers failing to follow food safety procedures.
Safety concerns were raised after the staff provided conflicting information regarding the preparation of allergen-free foods, which was inconsistent with the procedures documented within the Safer Food Better Business pack – indicating that allergen management procedures were not being implemented.
The HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) procedures on site were “outdated” with some sections incomplete including hot holding.
Given the “observations of concern noted during the visit and previous history of this food business” and “the unsatisfactory microbiological sample results recently taken”, Derbyshire Dales District Council have decided to serve Hygiene Improvement Notices (HIN) on Grindleford Station Cafe and Spring Water Supply.
A HIN is a formal, legal document issued by an Environmental Health Officer to a food business that is breaking food hygiene laws.
It identifies specific breaches and mandates legally required actions within a set timeframe – with prosecution, unlimited fines and business closure among possible outcomes for failing to comply.
Grindleford Station Cafe and Spring Water Supply must take measures described in each HIN by today (Monday, April 20) to secure compliance with legal requirements.
Grindleford Station Cafe has been approached for a comment.