Mould and dangerously stored meat at halal butcher in Derby

A Derby business has been given a two-star food hygiene rating after two recent inspections in as many months. Royal Halal Meat and Bakery in Pear Tree Road, Normanton, was paid a visit by Derby City Council's inspectors in January, who found a range of problems ranging from incorrect storage of meats to dirty surfaces and mould.

It was given a score of two which, according to the council's website, means "improvement necessary". During the second visit, which is dated Wednesday, February 19, the inspector said they were "disappointed" to find liver, lamb and chicken all out of temperature control in the bakery area.

They were found at a temperature of 30.1C, 33C and 37C, respectively - in the heart of the "danger zone" temperature range in which bacteria can spread easily. The inspector reminded the business that hot food should be kept above 63C - or cooled and refrigerated at or below 8C.

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The February report, which was a revisit to the business that would not lead to a change of grade, also noted that the food handler in the bakery area was not wearing any suitable and clean over-clothing, and that there were no hygienic hand-drying facilities in the staff toilet.

It follows the report dated Monday, January 13, that included pictures of areas of the building that needed improvement, including patches of mould on the ceilings and dirty plastic sheeting beneath a griddle in the bakery area. The report said the wall and floor junctions under a table and behind a cooker, as well as the filters in the ventilation canopy, were all dirty in the bakery area.

It also found that there were "no suitable cleaning solutions" on the premises to clean and disinfect food surfaces, with the inspector being told it had "run out the previous day". The inspector recommended that the operator of the business should carry out a refresher food hygiene training, adding that this was last done "over three years ago".