Colchester Bodrum Kebab House given one star hygiene rating

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), whose role is to minimise illnesses caused by poor practise, conducted the inspection at the Bodrum Kebab House, in Crouch Street, last month.

Although the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were found to be generally satisfactory, the FSA report concluded improvement was required in both food handling and management of food safety within the business.

Further failings were revealed following a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Gazette.

Upon the initial visit from the FSA on Monday, April 11, Bodrum Kebab House was given a one-star food hygiene rating.

Inspectors found no antibacterial sprays were available to staff, and no food labelling was in place to prevent staff from serving food which could result in customers suffering from an allergic reaction.

Natasha’s Law, introduced in the UK last year after a 15-year-old died from a fatal allergic reaction to sesame seeds, had yet to be implemented in the takeaway shop.

It was also noted in the report that mould was growing on the roof of the walk-in refrigerator, which was in poor repair.

Such was the nature of the findings, the FSA returned to Bodrum Kebab House later last month, when they met with the business owner, Mirza Khurram Saeed.

Although some improvements had been made, inspectors still found serious failures in hygiene and food handling.

One example included living  mice which had been caught in glue traps in storage cupboards, hallways, and next to the walk-in fridge.

Mould which was found at the top of the refrigerator unit in the original inspection had not been fully eradicated, inspectors found.

Since the second inspection by the FSA, Bodrum Kebab House has been re-registered with Colchester Council, which automatically triggers a new inspection.

The Gazette contacted the takeaway and invited a representative to comment but no response was given at the time of going to press.