A Freshwater food business voluntarily closed during a food hygiene inspection after officers found high-risk foods being stored at unsafe temperatures, resulting in a Food Hygiene Rating of 1 – Major Improvement Necessary.
Environmental Health Officers inspected Duo Baguettes, on Avenue Road, on 15th June this year, where they uncovered a number of significant food safety failings.
The inspection found that high-risk foods, including cooked sausages, ham, chicken tikka and other sandwich fillings, were being stored in display refrigerators at temperatures ranging from 9.8°C to 18°C – well above the legal maximum of 8°C.
Inspectors warned that such temperatures allow food poisoning bacteria to multiply. All affected food was voluntarily disposed of during the visit.
The business also voluntarily closed during the inspection because suitable refrigeration was not available and stock had to be discarded.
Further issues identified included a failure to complete food safety management records since April 2026, despite the legal requirement to maintain daily checks and regular reviews under the Safer Food Better Business system.
Inspectors also found that staff were not disinfecting a temperature probe before and after use, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
In the freezer, raw sausages were being stored above ready-to-eat baguettes, which officers said presented a contamination risk should the equipment fail or products leak.
Although the overall standard of cleanliness was described as reasonable, inspectors noted old food debris inside a microwave and dirty shelving that required cleaning.
The kitchen handwash basin was also found to be partially obstructed by utensils and contained food debris, preventing it from being used effectively. Hot water at the sink measured 62°C, which inspectors said could discourage proper handwashing and posed a scalding risk.
Inspectors also recommended that the business routinely monitor the core temperature of chilled food using a probe thermometer and aim to keep refrigerated foods at 5°C or below, despite the legal maximum remaining 8°C.
The business had not fallen below a 4 hygiene rating since at least 2012.
Food Rating – Scores on the Doors
Compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures – 20
Compliance with structural requirements – 10
Confidence in management/control procedures – 10
Total score: 50 (1 rating)
Duo Baguettes have been contacted for a statement.
Another Island Filth hole.
I invite you to read all the excellent reviews we have on Google. In addition to the comments the public has left on Islandecho’s Facebook post—where everyone recommends us and loves our product—you can read our response to this news in the comments below. We had an issue with the refrigerator on the day the inspector visited us. Please do not jump to conclusions without getting all the information.
I know but so many places may have excellent reviews
but that doesn’t change the fact they are filthy.
Customers don’t get to see behind the scenes in such establishments.
Our shop is very small; our customers can see almost the entire interior. Furthermore, if you read the article, the inspector stated that the cleanliness was reasonable; the only criticism was the presence of some food residue in the microwave. That is normal, given that we are constantly heating bacon and sausages—bacon splatters the microwave walls, and we clean it whenever we don’t have a line of customers to serve. The inspector arrived during a very busy period. We clean the shop every day at closing time and perform a deep clean every Sunday, when we are closed to the public.
But, But, this is one fo the lovely independent traders in the wonderful “village” of Freshwater…
Why so silent on the local social media page?
We have responded to this news below in the comments and in the local Facebook group called “West Wight Community Group”.Also, we posted on our personal Facebook profile and made the post “public” so everyone can read it.
Been like that for years,ran by foreign couple.
Too be honest it doesn’t matter where one is from
filth is filth whether it’s foreign filth or homegrown filth.
What do you mean like that for years? We opened in 2004 and always have 4 and 5 stars rating. This time we have a problem with the refrigerator and other issues that we explained in a public letter to our customers; you can find it below in the comments. Also, what is the problem that is run by a foreign couple? At least we are working 6 days a week, plus we have a second job each after 3 pm; we offer a service to our village, we pay our taxes, and we are not living on benefits.
A nasty racist comment
A Message to Our Valued Customers and the Freshwater Community
To all of our valued customers,
Following the recent newspaper article regarding our Food Hygiene inspection, we wanted to speak directly to our community and thank everyone who has taken the time to support us with such kind words and encouragement. Your loyalty and trust mean more to us than we can express.
First and foremost, food safety has always been, and will always remain, our highest priority. Duo Baguettes has proudly served the Freshwater community for many years and, until this inspection, had consistently maintained high food hygiene standards.
The inspection identified several areas where improvements were required. We accepted the inspector’s recommendations and acted immediately. Every point raised has now been addressed, and we have invested considerable time and money to ensure our business is operating to the highest possible standard.
We would also like to provide some context surrounding the inspection.
The inspection took place only two days after we reopened following a temporary closure while the owner was participating in a charity cycling event in Spain to raise funds for the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat. During the inspection, an unexpected fault with one of our refrigeration units was discovered. Although the refrigerator’s display showed that it was operating below the legal temperature, the internal sensor had become incorrectly calibrated and was not displaying the true temperature. We were completely unaware of this fault.
As soon as the issue was identified, we immediately arranged for a refrigeration engineer to attend. The refrigerator has since been professionally calibrated and is now working perfectly.
We would also like to clarify that one of the temperatures recorded by the inspector related to sausages that had only just come out of the oven and were still cooling, rather than chilled food that had been stored for sale.
The report also stated that food safety records had not been completed since April 2026. We were, in fact, recording temperatures every day using our own temperature record sheets. However, the inspector requested that these records instead be completed within the official Safer Food Better Business diary. We have since purchased a brand-new Safer Food Better Business pack and now complete all daily records and weekly reviews within that system.
Regarding the temperature probe, we had been cleaning it using antibacterial wipes, believing this to be appropriate. During the inspection we were advised to use dedicated probe sanitising wipes, which we have now purchased and incorporated into our procedures.
The inspector also recommended separating frozen raw products from frozen baguettes in the freezer. Although both products were stored frozen, we immediately reorganised the freezer by installing a divider and storage basket, so they are now completely separated.
The report described the premises as being reasonably clean. We are proud of the cleanliness of our business and would like our customers to know that cleaning has always been part of our daily routine. Many of our regular customers have seen us cleaning throughout the day, sweeping floors, wiping displays, sanitising work surfaces and carrying out regular cleaning while serving customers. In addition, we perform a thorough deep clean every weekend, something many members of our local community have witnessed over the years.
The observations regarding the microwave related to food splashes that had occurred during a busy trading period while repeatedly heating bacon and sausages for customers. We have since replaced the microwave with a brand-new unit. We have also adjusted the hot water temperature at our handwashing sink and installed a paper towel holder to further improve handwashing facilities. Before we had a hand towel to dry our hands but the inspector wanted paper towels instead.
Since the inspection, we have made significant improvements, including:
• Purchasing a new Safer Food Better Business diary and completing all required daily records and weekly reviews.
• Having our refrigeration professionally calibrated by a refrigeration engineer.
• Purchasing a digital refrigerator thermometer to continuously monitor temperatures.
• Regularly checking the core temperature of ready-to-eat foods using a probe thermometer.
• Purchasing dedicated probe sanitising wipes.
• Reorganising and separating products within the freezer.
• Purchasing metal food containers to help maintain chilled temperatures.
• Replacing the microwave with a new unit.
• Adjusting the hot water temperature at the handwashing sink.
• Installing a paper towel dispenser beside the sink.
• Continuing our regular cleaning and deep-cleaning routines.
We have invested significantly to implement every recommendation and, where possible, go beyond them. Every issue raised during the inspection has now been addressed.
Immediately after receiving the inspection report, we requested a re-inspection from the Council so that our improvements could be assessed. We have been advised that this can take up to three months, and we are currently waiting for that visit. We are looking forward to demonstrating all of the changes we have made and working towards regaining our previous 5-star Food Hygiene Rating.
Finally, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who left kind comments following the newspaper article and to every customer who has continued to support us. Reading your messages has been incredibly moving, and we are truly grateful for the loyalty, encouragement and trust that our community has shown us.
We remain committed to serving Freshwater with the same care, friendliness and dedication that we always have.
Thank you for your continued support.
I live in Freshwater and hear only good things about you and your offerings. Along with many others in the village I do hope that things turn out well for you and your doors re-open soon
Thank you very much for your kind words 🙂
I’ve eaten at this place for years, never once had a bad meal. Staff are always so friendly, ridiculous to say it’s run by a foreign couple!
food is well priced, fast service always clean. I’ll still be going here, in my opinion it’s the best place to eat out westwight
I’m a lorry driver that’s eaten at this place for years, never once had a bad meal. Staff are always so friendly, ridiculous to say it’s run by a foreign couple!
food is well priced, fast service always clean. I’ll still be going here, in my opinion it’s the best place to eat out westwight