A restaurant has temporarily closed after being told “major improvement is necessary” following a food hygiene inspection.

Tuk Tuk Pan Asian in Rickmansworth, which serves dishes from countries such as Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, received a score of 1/5 following its May 23 inspection.

The High Street restaurant’s spokesperson told the Watford Observer: “We as a brand have strict standards and procedures in place to ensure the quality and safety of all our food is up to the highest standards.

“In light of the issues highlighted by the environmental health officer, we have decided to close this branch for further training or replacement of management.”

Watford Observer: Tuk Tuk Pan Asian is at 140 High Street, RickmansworthTuk Tuk Pan Asian is at 140 High Street, Rickmansworth (Image: Google Street View)

The announcement follows the Watford Observer received the full hygiene inspection report last week.

During the inspection, it was found that meat was being cooked at 63C, when the temperature should reach 70C for two minutes or an immediate reading of 75C.

The inspector found temperatures of high-risk foods were not being taken or recorded.

A member of staff also did not explain that the temperature probe was cleaned before use.

It is a requirement for the probe to be cleaned and disinfected before and after use to reduce the risk of contaminating ready to eat cooked, hot, and reheated foods, the inspector said.

The officer called for high-risk foods to be probed in the centre on an “occasional basis” and the probes need to be checked regularly for accuracy.

Fridge drawers were damaged, and concerns were raised that these could contaminate food so must be replaced.

The inspector also found that the restaurant did not have a documented food safety management system in place, despite it being a legal requirement.

They also were not shown formal food hygiene training certificates for any of the food handlers working in the kitchen at the time of the visit.

The eatery was told food handlers needed to be trained or supervised by someone with formal food hygiene training.  

An re-opening date for the restaurant has yet to be confirmed.