A takeaway boss is reassuring customers his restaurant is “perfectly clean” after hygiene inspectors slapped the premises with a one- star rating.
BBQ House on Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road was told “major improvement was necessary” following a visit from inspectors on November 28, 2024. The hygiene report states the venue was found to have ‘major improvement necessary’ in both hygienic food handling and management of food safety and ‘good’ in cleanliness and condition of facilities and building.
However, owner Bakhtiar has hit out at the rating saying the team is ready for a revisit and the venue is “perfectly clean”. He said his family has overcome hardships to stay in this country and said the business had a lot of problems when he first bought it. He said: “We just arrived in the country two years ago and it took us nearly one year to settle down. As soon as we bought it we had so many problems and we’ve sorted them.
“When the health inspector came there was some mess in the shop but after they left we cleaned the shop perfectly and I did the hygiene course. I’m going to call them today to come back because I’m fully ready.”
Bakhtiar said he was left with mounting costs when he took over from the previous owner and fears he will lose customers due to the rating. He wants to reassure Teessiders the venue is clean and would like inspectors to revisit.
Earlier this week, the full hygiene report was released by Middlesbrough Council which raised a number of issues. Staff were found to be keeping raw kebab next to lemons, using the same work surfaces for preparing raw and ready to eat foods, without adequate cleaning and keeping high risk food such as chicken curry left to cool at room temperature for an excessive time period.
Hygiene inspectors also found “dirty” fridge handles and a damaged wooden storage unit. They said staff were using the same sink for preparing raw and ready to eat foods, without adequate cleaning.
The following issues were raised:
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Raw food (kebab) was being stored next to ready to eat food (lemons) in the (display) refrigerator. Any foods that may drip or fall into items below can result in cross contamination that could lead to food poisoning.
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The same work surfaces were being used for preparing raw and ready to eat foods, without adequate cleaning and disinfection, presenting a risk of cross contamination.
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The same food sink was used for preparing raw and ready to eat foods, without adequate cleaning and disinfection, presenting a risk of cross contamination.
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High risk food (chicken curry) was left to cool at room temperature for an excessive time period. This slows down the cooling process and presents ideal conditions for food poisoning bacteria to grow.
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The plastered wall surface in the kitchen was not capable of being effectively cleaned.
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The wooden storage unit was damaged and could not be effectively cleaned.
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The fridge handles were dirty.
Despite the issues raised, the takeaway is popular with foodies and has 1.8K followers on Facebook and a 4.9 rating on Google Reviews. Customers hail the venue for its tasty food and reasonable prices.
One reviewer said: “Amazing food and phenomenal portions, especially for the price. Definitely recommend.” Another added: “Gem of a find in Linthorpe Road. Tasty soup, delicious spicy kebabs, fresh salads and amazing fresh breads. What’s not to love?”
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