A GROCERY store in Boscombe was ordered to take a number of urgent actions after a damning food hygiene inspection found a host of breaches – including out of date cheese, sprouting onions and a freezer with a "stench associated to decaying matter".

Europe International was handed a zero food hygiene rating by BCP Council's environmental health team after they visited the Christchurch Road premises.

The business had failed to be compliant with all areas covered by the inspection.

Councillor Lesley Dedman, BCP portfolio holder for health said: “Officers inspected the premises on June 20 2019, the premises was non-complaint in all areas including food hygiene and safety procedures, structural requirements and management control and procedures. As such the premises were scored a zero.

"Officers will carry out a reinspection on August 5 when it is expected that the premises have taken positive steps to address the issues raised with them.”

A letter sent to the food business operator for Europe International said it was "extremely disappointing" for the business to be deemed non-compliant.

The correspondence highlights 28 different areas of food safety the business needs to address to comply with the law.

Some of these required immediate action, with ongoing changes to address concerns.

Issues raised by the inspectors include:

  • There was no information available on who is supplying food to the food business
  • ‘Hochland’ cheese were found on your premises which was nine days past its use-by-date.
  • A box of onions in the rear food storage area/kitchen had sprouted and were out of condition.
  • There was a cut water melon covered in mould in the rear food storage area/kitchen.
  • The chest freezer in the rear food storage area/kitchen was turned off and had putrefying food and water inside it. There was also a stench associated to decaying matter.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Europe International had applied to the council to obtain a premises licence for the sale of alcohol.

However, following an objection by Dorset Police, this application was refused in February by Bournemouth Borough Council's licensing sub-committee, who had concerns the "applicant had not considered the cumulative impact area and the potential for public nuisance and crime and disorder".