Restaurants' food safety and hygiene reports now available under FOI

Restaurants' food safety and hygiene reports now available under FOI

Reports on food saftey and hygiene in restaurants in Edinburgh and Glasgow produced by Health and Safety Inspectors have now been obtained under the Scottish Freedom of Information Act. The Scotsman states that the reports that have been obtained show "some of the capital's leading restaurants have fallen foul of environmental laws which aim to ensure that foods served on their premises are fit for human consumption."

Restaurants in Glasgow included:

• The Malmaison, West George Street - April 2002: concerns were raised about meat handling and cooking; walls, floors, ceilings and preparation areas were not being kept clean; food handling staff needed hygiene training; the restaurant was threatened with an improvement notice last year. According to Malmaison, all of these issues have now been rectified and they have recently passed an inspection.
  
• Stravaigin, Gibson Street - In 2002 they received a warning about the soiling of containers of syrup and treacle, and opened sauces had to be refrigerated and used within the specified time limits. Last year they were criticised for storing food on the floor and they were advised to stop using shell eggs in tartare sauce for food safety reasons.
  
• The Ubiquitous Chip, Ashton Lane - Thirteen faults were found in the kitchens last March, including dirty floors, broken plaster and paintwork, and badly scored chopping boards.
  
• Hilton Hotel, William Street - Cleanliness was found to be unsatisfactory one year ago.
  
• Gamba seafood restaurant, West George Street - The head chef was recommended training in food hygiene.
  
• Rogano, Exchange Square - received a clean bill of health from hygiene and fod saftey inspectors in December 2004.

Restaurants in Edinburgh included:

• Haldanes, New Town - contraventions in 2002 included mouse droppings.
  
• Balmoral Hotel, Princes Street - 24 breaches of hygiene rules were found in 2002.
  
• Fishers Bistro in Leith - In 2003, kitchen floor dirty and a fly screen was left open which allowed pests to enter the kitchen.
  
• Oloroso - warned in 2003 to replace refrigerator door seals and to dispense with scored chopping boards that were difficult to clean.

All the restaurants claim they have since resolved all of the complaints that were made against them.

Dirty little secrets of capital's top restaurants: Inspectors' reports reveal where stylish eateries slipped up (The Scotsman, 7 March 2005)

See also: Food for thought: how restaurants fared when the inspectors called (The Herald, 12 March 2005)