The manager of Fresh Fish and Sea Food on Rye Lane in Peckham has reassured customers after the business received the lowest possible food hygiene rating of 0 out of 5 from Southwark Council's Environmental Health team. The inspection took place on March 18, and the report was later published on the Food Standards Agency website.
Inspectors found flying insects and uncleaned blood spillages
During the visit to 77 Rye Lane, environmental health officers discovered flying insects in areas where food was stored, and blood spillages had not been cleaned up. A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) revealed that food had also come into contact with dirty equipment, posing a risk of cross-contamination.
Manager outlines improvements since inspection
Ali Jay, manager of Fresh Fish and Sea Food, told the LDRS that numerous improvements have been made since the March inspection. These include weekly staff training on hygiene and hazards, installation of a brand new toilet, ongoing repainting and repair of walls and ceilings, daily monitoring of freezer temperatures, introduction of fly catchers, and thorough recording of deliveries.
Inspectors had noted several specific issues: flying insects in food storage, display, and preparation areas; 'bad' fish stored in the freezer awaiting return to the supplier without a 'not for use/sale' label; a rear exit door with gaps large enough for pests; refuse and old equipment near the back door attracting rodents; no hot water at the handwash basin; no soap or drying facilities; dirty handwash basin, ceiling, walls, and floor surfaces; peeling paint; and lack of evidence of food hygiene training for staff.
Legal requirements and labelling issues
Inspectors emphasized that it is a legal requirement for the person running a food business to ensure staff involved in food handling are supervised, instructed, and trained in food hygiene matters. Additionally, pre-packed foods for direct sale lacked labels, so customers could not see the legal name of the fish, origin, defrosting instructions, or allergen information. The internal surfaces of the ice machine were dirty, and food was not stored according to manufacturer temperature instructions.
Council gave 28 days to provide action plan
Following the inspection, Southwark Council's Environmental Health team required Fresh Fish and Sea Food to provide information on actions taken within 28 days. The business has been in the area for over 20 years.
