More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Twenty-two food outlets may be putting diners at risk having earned a zero hygiene rating - the lowest possible score for food safety and cleanliness.
Fly infestations, out of date food, dirty surfaces and cross-contamination were just some of the issues highlighted by inspectors.
A zero star rating indicates ‘urgent improvement is necessary’, and inspectors have the power to close down a business if they think there is an immediate risk to the public.
Scroll down for the full list
Restaurants are judged on three areas: the hygiene of the food served, the cleanliness of work surfaces and appliances, and how well management keeps cleaning records and acts on criticism.
Outlets with a zero rating are likely to have scored badly against all three criteria, says the Food Standards Agency, which oversees the national food hygiene rating scheme.
"In my opinion things are generally improving. The worst places will have closed and businesses are getting more competitive - bad hygiene just isn't tolerated now by the public" - Peter Lincoln, food and safety team leader
The 22 Kent premises with a zero score include 14 restaurants and takeaways and eight food shops.
It's a tiny proportion of the 10,729 food outlets in the county, 94% of which have three stars or above, according to the Food Standards Agency.
But the potential dangers of dirty surfaces and cross-contamination can have serious consequences, including various types of food poisoning.
Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK. You can’t see it, smell it or even taste it on food, but it can make people ill for several days.
A common cause of campylobacter poisoning is cross-contamination from raw poultry.
Local authorities are responsible for monitoring food safety standards, and most premises are visited once a year, or more regularly if a problem has been identified.
Full list of zero-rated businesses (accurate as published March 2015)
Balas Little Mart, Gravesend
Frankies, Westgate On Sea
Norton Cross Service Station, Norton
Stonar Cafe, Sandwich
The Bull Inn, Newington
The Oak, Charing Kent
Yellow Fisherman/Raj Curry House, Westwell
Bassant, Gravesend
Deal Direct Fish, Deal
Grand Appetito, Tonbridge
Kings Fried Chicken, Chatham
Milestone Kebab, Stone
My Cafe, Chatham
Napier Convience Store, Gillingham
New Favoured Chicken, Gillingham
Northdown Road Groceries, Margate
Pyus Afro Carribean Cash And Carry, Sittingbourne
Ringlestone Farm Shop, Maidstone*
Royal Dragon, Birchington
Ruby Chinese Takeaway, Gillingham
Rumpy, Dartford
Shapla Tandoori, Sheerness
Twin Dragon, Folkestone
Councils say in most cases their inspectors will work with a business to help it improve standards as quickly as possible, offering advice on how to improve specific problems.
Swale, Tonbridge and Malling, and Maidstone councils share inspection services. Peter Lincoln is the leader of the team covering the three areas.
He explained that most outlets were happy to accept advice: "The vast majority of businesses are fine and we try to have a reasonable conversation. There are a few exceptions, but we try to persuade businesses to comply in the first instance.
"In my opinion things are generally improving. The worst places will have closed and businesses are getting more competitive - bad hygiene just isn't tolerated now by the public."
If problems at a food outlet are so bad people are at serious risk, inspectors can close down the business on the spot using a hygiene emergency prohibition notice.
This requires the owner to appear at a magistrates' court to put their side of the story before the premises can be reopened.
Ashford council offered several hypothetical cases where drastic action would be necessary.
A spokesman said: “Some examples of when closure is appropriate are where there is an infestation by pests, lack of hot water, defective equipment serious enough to result in the actual contamination of food or a significant risk of contamination.”
Fortunately, such serious cases are few and far between. The last time Mr Lincoln remembers using such an order was five years ago for a particularly bad cockroach infestation.
He said: "They are creatures that normally come out at night but here it was day time and they were everywhere. The cockroach infestation was directly affecting the food."
But sights like this do not stop Mr Lincoln from enjoying a meal out, even though he admits to occasionally scrutinising the forks.
He said: "I still go out to eat. I try to leave my work in the office, but it's not always easy."
All the hygiene rating information comes from the Food Standards Agency website.
* Since the inspections in this story were made, the Ringlestone Farm Shop has been removed from the list.
Stories you might have missed
'Devastated' daughters pay tribute to stabbing victim
Why did Michelle suffer like this?
Rare sighting of humpback whale off Kent coast
