A DELI in Weymouth has been hit with a one-star food hygiene rating from inspectors.

Polish Delicatessen on King Street in Weymouth sells a variety of Polish food from the convenience store and deli counter.

On Monday, March 15 this year it had a visit from Dorset Council's food hygiene inspector who awarded the delicatessen a one on the hygiene rating scale.

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A one indicates that 'major improvement is necessary' to improve the establishment's hygiene standards.

One of the main reasons for the deli's low score was because raw and ready-to-eat meat was stored together on top of each other.

In the report the inspector wrote: "Raw and ready-to-eat meats MUST be kept separate to avoid cross contamination. Ready-to-eat food contaminated by raw meat are likely to cause food poisoning!

"This matter was raised at a previous inspection - further non compliance is likely to lead to further action!"

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The inspector also found that protective gloves for handling food were kept in a bag by the meat slicer and were covered in meat off-cuts.

Concerns were also raised in the inspector's report that there was no water supply for the sink on the deli counter for handwashing.

The report also revealed that the inspector requested to see the deli's documents regarding food hygiene and said the staff were unaware of its existence. The report said the inspector was able to find old documents on site which had not been updated since 2017.

Inspectors said they had 'little confidence in the management' after this inspection.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "A revisit was made on the 14 April 2021 to check compliance – the records show that the owners did not appeal the rating.

"With regards to compliance with the outstanding matters we are waiting for the officers update - we should have this next week."

The council will need to conduct another full inspection to award a new rating.

Even though it only has a one-star hygiene rating, it has an overall 4.5 star rating from 67 Google reviews from customers praising its 'friendly staff' and 'superb range of food products'.

The deli were contacted and declined to make any comment at this time.