Food establishments at ten different motorway service stations around the country have failed to achieve a “good” hygiene rating upon their last inspection.
Information obtained by the Press Association shows that five out of the 23 service stations in the south east failed to achieve “good” ratings, while five more in the rest of the country did the same.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) requires premises to be given a score of at least four out of five before they can be awarded with a “good” rating, but some have scored even worse.
One branch of Subway at South Mimms service station scored just two out of five when it was last inspected in June 2015, with meatballs kept at four degrees below the required 63C temperature.
'Improvements necessary'
Chains around the country have been warned that improvements were necessary, but those affected have stressed that the issues raised by inspectors have since been dealt with.
A spokesman for Welcome Break, which owns the South Mimms services, said that hygiene is of “paramount importance” and said that improvements have been made in all its locations.
According to food hygiene expert Sylvia Anderson, drivers who stop at motorway services should base their decision on whether or not to eat at food outlets on the FSA’s hygiene ratings.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research for the RAC Foundation, said that motorway services are vital to the country’s road network, and said that their food outlets should be kept up to scratch.
