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Practices at a Pizza Hut takeaway are to be investigated over claims meals are being made on top of fridges and drivers are handling food with no training.
Photographs have emerged which are said to show unsanitary conditions at the branch in Perry Street, Northfleet.
A former driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, says workers were not briefed on non-contact deliveries and did not see anyone cleaning their hands during their time at the pizza joint.
However, a manager at the branch denied the claims when contacted by KentOnline referring us to the company's national office.
A spokesman there said an investigation would be launched into the matter.
According to the former courier, staff members would go out for cigarette breaks and return without washing their hands or even putting on gloves.
The driver added: "They didn't even wash their hands after using the toilet, let alone every 20 minutes."
Pizza Hut, along with many other fast food chains, has ramped up safety measures to protect staff and customers during the pandemic.
The company said it would investigate and act on any potential health and safety breaches, adding it takes any reports "extremely seriously".
Describing the conditions they say they witnessed, the driver said: "Colleagues serving customers on reception do not wear masks or follow Covid requirements.
"Hands are not washed before returning to the food prep area after handling cash or debit cards or using the till and gloves are never worn.
"Often male hair, which looks like either beard or pubic hair, is on work surfaces which are not sanitized or cleaned."
The former employee also claimed pizzas were being prepared on top of fridges – an allegation it faced before the pandemic – and that meat was left out for hours in a warm kitchen.
"Customer orders are made on top of the fridge," they said.
"There is a big pizza making centre but three hours before they close they will turn off the fridge and leave them on the trolley next to the oven."
The courier also hit out at a working culture they alleged deterred staff from speaking out and reporting issues.
The Northfleet branch, which was last inspected by Gravesham council two years ago, currently has a hygiene rating of 3, meaning "generally satisfactory".
Ratings are given based on food management, the hygienic handling of food and the condition and cleanliness of buildings.
Any food safety problems can be reported to the Food Standards Agency.
Where concerns have been identified, businesses will be subject to follow-up inspections and required to address urgent concerns within 28 days of the original visit. Failure to do so can result in fines and even store closures.
The manager we spoke to denied any breaches as described when contacted.
Responding to the driver's claims, a Pizza Hut Delivery spokesman said: “The health and safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we take any report of unacceptable standards extremely seriously.
"We are investigating claims about hygiene at our Gravesend location and will act accordingly should we find any issues.”
