A CHINESE takeaway in Christchurch has been handed a zero hygiene rating with “high potential” of contamination from E.coli and other harmful bacteria.

Top Wok on Barrack Road was subject to a routine food hygiene inspection in December and a number of significant risks were identified.

A subsequent revisit took place in early January and “clear improvements” had been made, while safety issues had also been addressed. The food business will have to wait until March before obtaining a re-score.

Details in the report from the December inspection say the risks had to be addressed as a matter of urgency, with no food safety management system in place, poor food handling and serious cross-contamination practices.

The establishment was rated as bad for practices, fair for structure, little confidence in management and high potential of contamination by E. coli, other VTEC and C Botulinum.

A report by a Christchurch Borough Council public health technician says: “There needs to be significant improvements in the standard of cleaning, the correct use of chemicals and cleaning utensils including providing a more readily available supply of cleaning equipment for staff to use and provide adequate protective clothing for staff. I witnessed little appreciation for the risks.”

Major improvements in food safety procedures, implementation of controls and staff refresher training on food safety hazards were suggested.

Sean Whitney, public health and protection manager at Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said following the initial inspection, which resulted in the zero rating, a revisit took place on January 3.

From this revisit he said all significant food safety issues had been satisfactorily addressed and applying for a re-score was encouraged.

“Both the Food Business Operator and the manager were present at the revisit and accepted the findings of the report and confirmed they had immediately implemented the necessary improvements," Mr Whitney said.

“Under the Food Standards Agency’s guidance this cannot be undertaken for a period of three months from the original inspection, so the earliest a re-score can take place at the restaurant will be March 20.”

A representative from Top Wok was unavailable to comment when approached by the Daily Echo.