Mouldy vegetable curry was found to be on display and raw burgers were stored next to cooked food in a popular High Wycombe kebab shop.

Charlie’s Flame House in Bridge Street was inspected by food hygiene officers on June 6 – and has been told that major improvement is needed.

It was given a one hygiene rating after inspectors found mouldy food on display and broken hand washing stations.

Inspectors also saw a lack of handwashing and no daily records or food safety procedures to show that food being offered for sale was safe.

In a report seen by the Bucks Free Press, environmental health officer Stephen Starsmore said he was “disappointed” by what he saw when he inspected the takeaway restaurant.

The business offers kebabs, burgers and curried dishes for sale at 44 Bridge Street and also runs a popular kebab van in High Wycombe’s High Street of an evening.

The report says that there were no temperature probes available, no date-coding in place for pre-made curried dishes that were on display at the front counter and no daily safety records were in place.

Staff at the takeaway voluntarily threw away the mouldy curry that was on display while inspectors were present.

Although staff members insisted they had food safety certificates, there were none available for inspection at the time.

Inspectors reported there was “some knowledge displayed of food safety but gaps noted”, adding that cooked kebab meat was being held at temperatures of 50 degrees – but food which is cooked or reheated must, by law, be held at 63 degrees or above.

They also found that there needed to be better cleaning in hard-to-reach areas at the front of the shop and that surfaces in the rear kitchen were “dirty” and needed cleaning.

Officers also found a lack of soap and paper towels in the toilet at the front of the shop and evidence that the salad was being washed in the sink. The wash basin at the back of the shop was also not working.

The electronic fly killer was also not working when inspectors visited.

The report added: “Poor practices observed at inspection. Raw burgers were being stored next to cooked food in the front counter and there was poor separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods in the rear fridge.

“No hand-washing was observed during the inspection and no over-clothing was being worn while handling food.”

The report also said raw chicken and minced meat was being stored above and next to open cooked/ready-to-eat foods – even though raw food that could drip or fall into items stored below can cause cross contamination and food poisoning. Charlie’s Flame House has been asked to reorganise their fridges and check that food is stored separately, ensure all people working wear suitable protective clothing and provide a wash basin with adequate supplies of hot and cold water.

The report says: “Regular hand washing is important for personal cleanliness. All staff should be reminded of the need for this prior to starting or returning to work.

“The hard to reach areas behind preparation surfaces and equipment in the front service area and rear kitchen were dirty. These areas must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and maintained.”

The business will be revisited within a month to see if hygiene standards have been improved, but if the shop owner is unhappy with the new rating, they can contact the inspecting officer or appeal the rating in writing within 21 days.