This is what food hygiene inspectors found 'completely unacceptable' at Ramside Hall

Food hygiene standards at the popular hotel, in Carrville, County Durham, were ‘completely unacceptable’ and the general manager was told a ‘significant improvement’ must be made as a ‘matter of urgency’.

Inspectors found a build up of grease, food debris and mould in all four kitchens.

The hotel, spa and golf club received a one-star food hygiene rating following an inspection of four kitchens on the site on January 21.

And the report has revealed the Food Standards Agency first raised concerns about the poor cleaning practices at the four-star hotel at their last inspection in January 2019.

What did the inspector say

The report by a senior environmental health officer states: “Unfortunately during the inspection a number of issues were identified relating specifically to poor cleaning and structural conditions which could have the potential to seriously compromise your staffs’ ability to be able to store, handle, prepare and serve food in a safe manner.

“Refrigeration equipment was in a poor state of repair; employees were not adhering to good hygiene / cleaning practices and I am not satisfied that there existed sufficient management oversight to ensure that any short term improvement would have lasting sustainability.

“Similar concerns regarding poor cleaning practices were identified in the last food hygiene inspection report dated 30 January 2019.

“As a result of conditions found at this and at the last inspection visit, this has impacted in a significant reduction in your food hygiene rating score

“The poor implementation of food hygiene standards observed at this business is completely unacceptable and a significant improvement and programme of improvements is required as a matter of urgency.”

‘Dirty, greasy and grimy’ equipment

The inspection report by a senior environmental health officer revealed the general standard of cleanliness in all four kitchens and related areas was poor and there was clearly identifiable areas which showed a build-up of grease, food debris and detritus.

Ventilation extraction units were covered with a layer of mould, kitchen wall surfaces were covered in a ‘blackened flocculated mass’ and mould had formed on the lighting within the refrigerating units, inspectors found.

The inspector said in his report: “The saladette and the microwave ovens in the Pemberton kitchen; the bain marie unit in the Main/Rib kitchen; food containers in the Fusion kitchen and the servery units at the front of house within the Pemberton area were dirty, greasy and grimy with accumulated, encrusted old food debris.”

Ramside Hall has been told it must carry out a thorough deep clean of particular equipment and areas where food is handled, prepared and where food equipment is stored.

‘Splitting’ wooden serving boards

The report, which has been released to the Echo, revealed that trendy wooden boards used to serve steak and burgers were relatively clean and smooth but showed signs of splitting and wooden knots were not sealed.

This could allow for a build-up of bacteria and prevent the boards from being effectively cleaned.

The Environmental Health Officer’s report said: “Wooden equipment should be smooth, without any grooves.

“Indentations and uneven surfaces allow food, dirt and bacteria to accumulate, therefore posing a significant risk of food poisoning to the consumer.”

Food safety management and traceability

Inspectors raised concerns about refrigerator equipment which was in a poor state of repair and said staff were not adhering to good hygiene and cleaning practices.

The senior environmental health officer said: “I am not satisfied that there existed sufficient management oversight to ensure that any short term improvement would have lasting sustainability.”

Inspectors found no evidence that identification tags to trace which ingredients - in particular shellfish - are bought from which primary producers or supplier are kept which inspectors say is fundamental.

The report says immediate action is required and said:“You must ensure that the system for keeping/storing the tags and delivery records facilitates a rapid identification of the specific food and its original source should a formal product recall or confirmed food poisoning outbreak occurs.”

What has Ramside Hall said about the inspection?

Ramside Hall says the company ‘immediately addressed the action points and all structural works noted within the inspection’.

A spokesperson said: “Following an inspection at Ramside Hall Hotel,Golf and Spa by the Environmental Health Officer, the company immediately addressed the action points and all structural works noted within the inspection.“A second audit was then carried out by the EHO where it was confirmed that Ramside had satisfactorily undertaken all the remedial work required.“The final audit on the premises is due to take place in the next three weeks, at which time the hotel will receive a revised hygiene rating.”

Now the hotel says it is not only ‘fully confident’ of a higher rating when it is re-inspected but also wants to reassure customers that its kitchens are now up to the expected standard – and is inviting them to come and see for themselves.

Anyone wanting to visit the kitchens is asked to email Ramside’s group health and safety officer, Ian Moffat at [email protected]