STORY: London bakery gets lowest possible hygiene rating

An inspector found “a number of food law contraventions” at Camberwell-based bakery The Crusty Loaf and gave it the lowest possible food hygiene rating as a result.

The bakery was warned it could face enforcement action unless cleaning issues found during an inspection were dealt with “as a matter of urgency”.

The inspector found dirty food preparation equipment and a “generally poor” standard of cleanliness.

The inspection report reads: “In general, the standard of cleaning to the structure of the bakery, including the work surfaces, was generally poor.

“A thorough deep clean and disinfection is required to all areas of the bakery concentrating at floor/wall junctions and behind or below equipment.

“At the time of my visit, I was advised that some equipment, namely the bread slicing machines, were not working and could not be adequately cleaned.”

Dirty equipment found during the inspection included the bread cutting machines, the large mixer, both the inside and the outside of the bread proofer oven, the bread roll cutter, the scales and a shelf to the left of the mixer.

The inspector added: “Bread rolls were being stored on the floor in open black bags. There was a silver serving tray wedged in between the ceiling and pipe work. I was unable to identify the purpose of the tray and its function.”