A ‘dirty’ Leeds pizza parlour, which is historically a favourite for Leeds students and has been operating for 28 years, has received a damning food hygiene rating.
Pizza Milano, which also operates as Burger Joint Desserts, located in Raglan Road, close to Woodhouse Moor, was told by inspectors to have a massive clean-up. The takeaway was given a two star hygiene rating, which means “improvements are necessary”.
Hygiene inspectors, working on behalf of Leeds City Council branded parts of the premises “dirty”, focusing on the damaged doors and lid seals. They told the business that all hand contact surfaces needed a clean, after visiting on January 12.
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But the takeaway management claims: “The inspection took place during a week of severe staff absences where Covid was once again at its peak.”
Inspectors were also disappointed to find the wash hand basin was blocked in the kitchen and the toilet wash hand basin needed cleaning. Multiple areas all over the premises needed cleaning, including the surfaces, walls and ceiling.
Food in fridges and freezers needed covering. They found no allergen system in place and the takeaway was using an old food safety menu which was not up to date, with “no recent reviews”.
There were open containers of sauces in the fridge and sweet sauce containers needed cleaning.
Pizza Milano blames 'severe staff absences'
A Pizza Milano/Burger Joint Desserts spokesperson said: "We have been serving the Leeds Customers successfully for over 28 years. We are grateful for the thoroughness of the report highlighting the list of issues, all of which have been addressed since.
“The inspection took place during a week of severe staff absences where Covid was once again at its peak. However, we would like to reassure our customers that the facilities are always thoroughly cleaned daily and all hygiene practices are always adhered to as per HACCP guidelines.
“We always take any issues seriously and continue to work with Leeds City Council to continuously improve. We have agreed in principle for a re-inspection as we believe our current rating does not do justice to the cleanliness and hard work put in to the current status quo of the premises and business.
“Our procedures are always in line with updated food safety practices and training is always provided by independent leading national Food Safety Training Providers. We thank our customers who continue to trust and support independent, hardworking businesses like ourselves as we have been such a long outstanding feature of the Leeds takeaway scene.”
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