Teesside Cafe Fails Hygiene Check With Droppings and Fly Found

A cafe in Teesside got a poor food hygiene rating. People liked the cafe for its meals and service. Inspectors visited Belle Marie’s in Dormanstown last December and found problems like rat droppings. They also saw a fly on a food tray inside. A blocked drain caused a bad smell, too. The cafe got a two-star rating, meaning it needs to improve.

The council released the full report, which said food could be contaminated. E. coli and other pathogens were a concern. Bin bags and cardboard were on the floor. Staff used the toilet sink for hand washing, which is not acceptable, the report stated.

Inspectors looked at food handling, checking cleanliness and safety management. The cafe was “generally satisfactory” in two areas. However, hygienic food handling needed improvement, including cooking, cooling, and storing food.

The report detailed contamination risks. Staff used the toilet sink for hand washing. Raw sausage was stored above ready-to-eat food, and corned beef sat in an open container. These practices could spread food poisoning.

The cafe used the same chopping board for raw and cooked items. A fly crawled on a food tray. Sauces were not stored correctly, and disinfectant wasn’t used properly on surfaces. All these things increased the risk of contamination.

Inspectors told the owner about washbasins. The kitchen lacked a dedicated hand-washing station, and they suggested adding a sink. Alternatively, they said to clearly mark the existing sink, designating it only for hand washing.

The cafe’s front door stayed open, causing problems, as flying insects entered the kitchen. A blocked drain outside smelled bad and created unclean puddles. This could attract pests, the report noted.

The report mentioned dirty areas, with fat buildup on an extractor fan and a floor. Old rat droppings were under a counter. Inspectors questioned the sanitizer’s effectiveness and found desserts lacked proper allergen labels. The cafe was contacted for comment.