UPDATED: BAHAR TANDOORI GIVEN 1-STAR RATING AFTER RECENT FOOD HYGIENE INSPECTION

UPDATE February 2024 – Bahar Tandoori has now received a 4-star rating. In a statement, the management team have said:

“After an inspection which took place on 26th January 2024, Bahar Tandoori has received by post a 4 out of 5 hygiene rating. While we were aiming for 5, this rating reflects our commitment to improving and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety in our restaurant. “We would like to extend our gratitude to our dedicated staff who have consistently worked hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for our valued customers. We are also grateful to our customers for their support. “Our updated rating will be published on the Food Standard Agency’s website within 35 days from 26th Jan 2024.”

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Inspectors have slapped a 1-star food hygiene rating on Bahar Tandoori in Cowes after finding a myriad of issues, including out-of-date food, reheated rice, a dirty tea towel placed on top of dough and mould in the kitchen. Environmental Health inspectors visited the well-established High Street takeaway on 18th October and were immediately disappointed to find that standards were generally poor, and that many of the issues had been identified at previous inspections. In 2022, the tandorri restaurant was awarded a reputable score of 4. A big issue for officials was the discovery of rice that had been left in 2 large, deep containers at ambient temperatures of 24c-27c for around 4 hours, sparking fears of bacteria growth. It was also discovered that cooked rice had been reheated in the microwave for a delivery order and left on the hotplate for over 20 minutes. The temperature of the rice had gone down to 56c so would be flash fried/reheated again to be delivered hot to the customer. Other high-risk food including cooked meats were found to be left out at ambient temperatures for over 4 hours, which could have led to the growth of food poisoning bacteria. A dirty tea towel had been placed on top of dough, which could have posed a contamination risk. Further issues were discovered including 2 containers of raw prawns that had been left uncovered in a chest freezer, both of which had liquid in them which would have contained food poisoning bacteria. A small mincer, kept in a carrier bag, had evidence of dried raw meat inside. A container of paste with a best before date of December 2022 was located alongside a container of food dye dated April 2023, with an opened container of mint sauce stored at room temperature in the upstairs store room with a best before date of 7/21. Continued examination of the kitchen found a heavy build-up of food debris and dirt in the fridges and freezers, with evidence of mould growth on the seals. Food debris was also found in the microwave. Food containers are said to have been used for both raw and ready-to-eat food without adequate cleaning and disinfection in between. It was noted by inspectors that they could not be disinfected by heat as the business does not have a dishwasher. Council inspectors found the kitchen to be generally dirty, with a build up of grease at the base of extraction filters posing a fire risk. Old food was stuck to a green chopping board, which had been placed with clean chopping boards, and a small white chopping board was found to be stored on top of the mouldy seal behind the basin taps. Other issues included crates of peeled onions stored on the floor next to tins of paint, exposed bare wood that had absorbed grease and dirt and a can opener that was rusty and could no longer be kept clean. Bahar Tandoori – which has boasted about a visit from Richard Branston back in 1997 for over 25 years – has been warned that if contraventions are not addressed then the Isle of Wight Council will consider taking formal enforcement action. In 2010, Bahar Tandoori was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after being prosecuted for food hygiene offences by the Isle of Wight Council. Island Echo has approached Bahar Tandoori for a statement.

Food Hygiene Rating – Scores on the Doors

Compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures – 15 Compliance with structural requirements – 15 Confidence in management/control procedures – 20

Total score: 50 (1 rating)