The Bexley Kitchen given a 1 in food hygiene rating

Following an inspection by the Food Standards Agency, Bexley Kitchen, based on Bexley High Street, was given a 1 out of 5 hygiene rating - the second lowest possible rating.

Inspectors said that improvements were necessary in several areas - including in its structure and cleaning, food food safety and management procedures.

Criticisms of the management and control procedures included an outdated food safety system, which had not been updated since 2018, and employees not being properly trained in food hygiene matters.

The food safety procedures were found by inspectors to need immediate improvement.

During the inspection they found several "poor practices": raw and cooked meat being stored on the same shelf, used cleaning cloths left dirty, and improper food handling at all stages.

According to the report, a system of date coding for food needs immediate implementation so that harmful bacteria doesn't grow due to over storage.

They advised for prepared chilled food to be used within 72 hours.

The restaurant was also found to use Polish eggs, which were marked unsafe because of their association with food outbreaks.

When it came to Bexley Kitchen's structure and cleaning, inspectors found much needed deep cleaning in every area, ranging from work surfaces to equipment and refrigeration.

Silicone around the sink, a rusty microwave, and a blocked wash hand basin were said to be in "poor condition" requiring immediate repairs.

The inspectors also commented on the hand basin lacking basic items, like soap and towels, as well as the fact that "various items" had been left in the basin.

The full report was revealed in a Freedom of Information Request from the Newsquest AI team.

Bexley Kitchen has until the 31st of January to implement required changes, improve the current "poor" hygiene conditions, and ensure the safe serving of food to the public.

Bexley Kitchen was approached for comment.