A North East cocktail bar has been slammed by inspectors after they found a serious risk of contamination and broken glass in the kitchen.

Artizan Marton in Middlesbrough was inspected on September 1 this year and received a zero-star rating.

Health inspectors even stressed that consideration was given to stop the venue from serving food due to the shortcomings during the inspection.

Consideration was also given to prosecute the owner of the premises, however, inspectors settled to give the premises a warning.

However, if further breach of food laws are found in future inspections, the authority may lead to “formal action.”

It added: “It was evident that health risk conditions were present and an imminent risk of injury to health existed.”

The inspection found that work surfaces were being used to prepare raw food and ready to eat foods without separation.

Read more: The 14 North East businesses recently slammed with a poor hygiene rating

Chopping boards were also being used for both raw and ready to eat food, both presenting a high-risk of cross-contamination and possibly food poisoning.

Equipment such as tongs and a flipper were also being used for preparing raw food and ready-to-eat food, again risking contamination.

Food handlers at the venue were found to be handling raw food and then touching other food containers without washing their hands.

The inspection also found that date codes were being used incorrectly resulting in some food being out of date.

Broken glass was found in and around glasses at the bar that were ready to use, which inspectors warned could present a risk “of physical contamination.”

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Doors to the store room were also left open during the inspection, which the inspectors warned could lead to “unauthorized individuals and pests to enter.”

In one instance, an electrical extension unit was placed close to water, resulting in a high risk of electrocution.

Many areas of the premises were also dirty and there were signs of “mouse activity” found in the store room area.

According to inspectors, the owner of the business immediately suggested closing the kitchen in the venue until “adequate measures were in place” and all ready to eat foods were disposed of during the visit.

Inspectors plan to return to the venue and inspect it again in the future where the restaurant will have to prove that safety measures have been implemented.

Asked why they received the zero star rating and if there anything in particular that they believe caused this, LBH Bars said: “Unfortunately lack of training of a new staff member on the day of inspection affected our scoring whilst management were away on leave.”

The company added that it did not feel it deserved the zero-star rating and that "after the initial impression given to the officer it led to harsher judgement.”

Since the inspection it says it has put new processes in place and trained staff, and has sought to reassure customers of standards.

LBH Bars added: “We have a full management system in place and all staff have been trained in the safe preparation of food. What the officer identified on the day on inspection was not our usual business runnings.

“All staff are trained to level two and three food hygiene in catering and all trained on our company procedures. The bar has a small and open kitchen. Any customers who wish to speak to us or see our procedures themselves are welcome to visit and discuss.”

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