FOOTBALL clubs have been shown the red card by health inspectors who uncovered rodents, bugs and mould in some shocking stadium kitchens. And they were stunned to discover staff who didn’t know they had to wash their hands. The Sunday Mail obtained food hygiene inspection reports since the beginning of last year for all 12 SPL clubs – as well as Rangers, relegated Dundee and Hampden. Partick Thistle’s Firhill stadium failed to meet basic standards, with an “improvement required” notice served by Glasgow City Council. Inspectors discovered a dirty and damaged fridge and freezer and uncovered bins. There was no hot water or soap at some hand basins, no towels for drying hands and no food safety management records were being kept at the ground as required by law. Catering company Sporting Solutions were warned that they could face criminal action if the situation was not rectified. At Hibs’ Easter Road stadium, mouse droppings were found in the west stand kitchen. The floors in another kitchen needed repair and food and ice were being stored uncovered in the bar areas, risking contamination by pests. At Dundee United’s Tannadice stadium, mould was found growing over one of the bars, which had a broken and filthy extraction vent. Cobwebs were found in other units and there were no hand-washing facilities in the players’ lounge, where pies are served. In another food preparation area, inspectors found “no evidence” that staff were washing their hands. City rivals Dundee failed a food hygiene inspection in February. Mouse droppings were found in one food outlet at Dens Park and no hot water or hand towels in others. The report stated that catering staff had previously been warned about rodent issues. Meanwhile, Ross County’s Victoria Park ground had dirty extractor fans and vents, damaged work surfaces and no soap at the hand basin. Inspectors also discovered out-of-date soft drinks. During an inspection in February this year, kitchen bosses at Celtic Park were told to train staff in hand washing and repair the floor in the cooking area of one of the club lounges. They were also ticked off for not providing hand washing facilities at all food preparation areas at the ground. Rangers’ catering firm were told to take action over a mouldy ceiling in the kitchens of Ibrox’s club deck stand. Catering chiefs were also warned about cooking food below required temperatures and told to clean floor surfaces and ice machines in one stadium bar. At Motherwell, chiefs were told to provide a suitable detergent for cleaning surfaces and to relocate a raw food preparation board. Microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington said: “These are very worrying breaches. The fact that so many clubs were warned about lack of hand washing is most concerning. “That is a basic food safety requirement. It’s a no-brainer. “Mouse droppings and mould are signs of a badly run kitchen and these are just things being found on the days when the inspectors visit.” Hampden was slated in 2011 for the state of the hospitality suite kitchens but now appears to have cleaned up its act. However, catering bosses were warned to repair defective lighting. All inspections were carried out in the last two years by environmental health officers. Aberdeen got pass marks in September 2010 and have not been visited since. Hearts, St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle were given clean bills of health while no significant issues were raised at St Johnstone or Kilmarnock. A spokesman for Sporting Solutions, who provide the catering for Partick Thistle, said: “All the issues raised in the report have been rectified. We were advised by an inspector that we did not need to keep food safety records because all food is pre-prepared.” A Celtic spokeswoman said: “We are pleased there were no significant issues.” At Rangers, a spokesman said: “The minor issues raised were immediately dealt with.” And at Dundee, a spokesman added: “All issues were urgently dealt with.” A spokesman for Azure, Hibs’ caterers, said: “These rigorous inspections are very useful in ensuring high standards.” Dundee United said no one was available for comment.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 10:07:43 +0000
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