Dirty equipment and a risk of cross contamination were among issues found when hygiene inspectors visited a Chinese takeaway.

Eat Well in Aldenham Road, Bushey, was told major improvement is necessary after its inspection on June 13, and it was given an overall rating of 1/5.

The Watford Observer can now reveal the extent of the problems uncovered after the council released the full food hygiene report on Wednesday, September 6.

When approached for comment, the restaurant claimed it has since addressed the inspectors' concerns and awaits reinspection.

A “heavy” coat of grease and dirt were found on pipework near the cooking range, which the inspector said must be cleaned and maintained.  

Watford Observer: Grease was found on pipework.Grease was found on pipework. (Image: Hertsmere Council)

The takeaway was also using extension leads in the kitchen and two were “very dirty and close to the food packaging material”.

The eatery was told to clean the leads or replace them.

Watford Observer: Dirty extension leads were found near food packaging. Dirty extension leads were found near food packaging. (Image: Hertsmere Council)

Dirt was also found on the floors under and behind equipment, on the electronic fly killer (EFK), and on the WC door.

All areas must be cleaned and maintained in good condition, inspectors noted.

Watford Observer: Dirty floors were found.Dirty floors were found. (Image: Hertsmere Council)

The takeaway was also found to be storing uncovered food in a fridge near rice cookers. The inspector raised concerns about cross contamination and ordered staff to store food in containers with lids or cover them with clingfilm.

Staff were told to purchase and use antibacterial products that will kill all bacteria as the one previously used did not claim to kill E.coli.

Watford Observer: More dirty floors were found by the inspector. More dirty floors were found by the inspector. (Image: Hertsmere Council)

The inspector has asked for the eatery to no longer use cardboard in the kitchen on any of the shelves because it becomes dirty quickly and cannot be cleaned effectively.

Watford Observer: The inspector told the eatery to remove all cardboard. The inspector told the eatery to remove all cardboard. (Image: Hertsmere Council)

Staff were found to have carried out the appropriate hygiene training, but the inspector said: “These issues outlined in the report would not have arisen if you had applied what you had learned.”

They were called to go on refresher training.

An Eat Well spokesperson said: "Eat Well Bushey has been striving for improvement and we have already changed everything the report has commented on and are now further awaiting someone to come and reassess the situation.

"Thank you for everyone’s patience and we hope to be getting back on track of a five star rating.”