A café in Sidcup has been told to make major improvements after food was found in the premises past the use by date.

Halfway Café in Halfway Street, Sidcup, was found to have “dirty old sponges and scourers” in use when Bexley Council hygiene inspectors visited in January this year.

The inspectors look at how hygienically food is handled, the condition and cleanliness of the building and how they management ensures food is safe and standards are maintained. Each area is given a rating between zero - meaning urgent improvement necessary - and five - meaning very good. The establishment is then given an overall rating.

Halfway Café was rated one out of a possible five, meaning major improvements are necessary.

In a report, seen by News Shopper, inspectors said: “Food handlers were wearing the same apron for handling raw meat and then ready-to-eat food.

“Dirty re-usable cleaning clothes were being used.

“Food was found beyond its ‘Use By’ date. There were no food hygiene training certificates or records available. These can help to demonstrate that staff have received food hygiene training.”

The food temperature probe was found to be not working and in need of a battery and clean, while the freezer had a leak which required new seals. Inspectors also found that the dishwasher switch was broken and its plug needed rewiring.

FROM LAST WEEK: Sidcup kebab shop Kebab Ye in Maidstone Road stored raw meat next to cake and was given just one star for its food hygiene rating​

A manager at the Halfway Café said that they have made improvements since the inspection and are welcoming inspectors again next month.

He said: “In this report we were rated low because of some issues with our paperworks.

“We are being given a second chance and are going to be inspected again next month.

“We have made improvements and sorted out the paperwork and I am sure we will be rated what we were before, which I think was a four.

“All the improvements have been made.”

Food inspectors mentioned in their report a lack of written food safety procedures and accurate allergen information on allergen charts.

The Halfway Café was rated on January 9.