Birmingham's worst-rated outlets for food hygiene that haven't been inspected in years

Hundreds of businesses in Birmingham with the lowest food hygiene ratings remain open, waiting years for a new inspection amid a Food Standards Agency 'backlog'

Hundreds of Birmingham food outlets with the lowest hygiene ratings haven't been inspected in more than a year, a BirminghamLive investigation has revealed. A staffing crisis in environmental health teams and a pandemic backlog have left restaurants, cafes, and takeaways waiting years for inspections - including some of those previously given the lowest food hygiene ratings.

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), there are hundreds of restaurants, cafes, takeaways and shops in Birmingham with the lowest ratings of either zero or one following hygiene inspections. The ratings are a reflection of how hygienically food is prepared in a business, its cleanliness and how food is kept safe - with scores ranging from five (very good) to zero (urgent improvement necessary).

BirminghamLive can today reveal hundreds of businesses slapped with the lowest ratings of zero or one are still open and trading, years since their last inspection. It comes amid concerns of a 'significant backlog' in the number of food businesses awaiting inspection by council-employed FSA inspectors, raising fears of a 'serious public health issue.'

READ MORE: Full list of 'zero hygiene' rated restaurants and cafes in Birmingham

In Birmingham alone, more than 30 businesses selling food have been waiting more than two years since their last inspection - having previoulsy been graded either zero or one by inspectors. A zero food hygiene rating is at the bottom of the scale and means 'urgent improvement is necessary' to correct poor hygiene - while a one rating means 'major improvement is necessary.'

While some businesses on the list below have closed, many remain open, potentially selling food in unsafe conditions to the public. Here is a list of the Birmingham businesses that have not been inspected since 2022 - despite receiving the lowest two ratings in their last food hygiene assessment. All ratings are correct at the time of publication.

• Kasablanca Shisha Lounge (228 Moseley Street, B5 6LG) - last inspection: 31 January 2022
• Vinayagan Service Ltd (261 Warwick Road, B11 2QX) - last inspection: 31 October 2022
• Al Haroof Superstore (237 Churchill Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, B9 5NX) - last inspection: 25 October 2022
• Alamgeer Food Store (2 Marlborough Road, Birmingham, B10 9NY) - last inspection: 1 August 2022
• Ambika News t/a Longbridge Express (219 Longbridge Lane, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 4RE) - last inspection: 31 October 2022
• Arab Butcher (103 Villa Road, Birmingham, B19 1NH) - last inspection: 19 October 2022
• Brandwood Centre (157 Allens Croft Road, Birmingham, B14 6RP) - last inspection: 2 March 2022
• Brook News (278 Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, B11 1AA) - last inspection: 16 August 2022
• Churchvale News & Off License - (60 Robert Road, B20 3RU) - Last inspection: 10 October 2022
• Coombes Lane Superstore (Flat, 99 Coombes Lane, B31 4QU) - Last inspection: 31 October 2022
• Food Express (72-74 Showell Green Lane, Birmingham, B11 4JP) - last inspection: 12 October 2022
• Grove Multi Foods Ltd (104 Grove Lane, Lozells And East Handsworth, Birmingham, B21 9HA) - last inspection: 24 August 2022
• Gujar Khan Halal Meat (73 Herrick Road, Birmingham, B8 1NT) - last inspection: 13 October 2022
• Gully Mini Market (283 Rookery Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, B21 9PT) - last inspection: 10 November 2022
• Hanisk International Food (306 Coventry Road, Nechells, Birmingham, B10 0XE) - last inspection: 11 July 2022
• Ilays Internet Cafe Shop (128 Great Hampton Row, B19 3JN) - last inspection: 5 September 2022
• J S Convenience Store (18 Allens Croft Road, B14 6RQ) - last inspection: 28 July 2022
• K M Halal Poultry Ltd (1-3 Alfred Road, B11 4PB) - last inspection: 15 November 2022
• Kam Stores (4-4A Huntly Road, B16 8JS) - last inspection: 20 October 2022
• Knightlow News (179 Knightlow Road, B17 8PY) - last inspection: 3 November 2022
• Lifestyle Express (1 Hornbeam Close, B29 4NR) - last inspection: 9 November 2022
• Lifestyle Express (109 Stechford Lane, B8 2AP) - last inspection: 8 November 2022
• Michaels Express (129 Longbridge Lane, B31 4LF - last inspection: 8 November 2022
• Pricecutters (267 Kings Road, B44 0RZ) - last inspection: 6 October 2022
• Rumboogie (145 Prince Of Wales Lane, B14 4LH) - last inspection: 10 October 2022
• Shiffa Home Health Care Shop (159 High Street, B14 7DJ) - last inspection: 29 November 2022
• Sparkbrook Food Store (48 Anderton Road, B11 1NQ) - last inspection: 12 October 2022
• Sweet Occasionz (154 Lozells Road, B19 2SX) - last inspection: 10 October 2022
• Syed Brothers (182 Walford Road, B11 1QD) - last inspection: 9 May 2022
• Watan Halal Meat Shop (564 Coventry Road, B10 0UN) - last inspection: 12 October 2022
• Zam Zam (70 Stratford Road, B11 1AN) - last inspection: 1 November 2022

A 'serious public health issue'

In July this year, it was revealed delays in food hygiene inspections were putting the public at increased risk of food poisoning. BBC analysis revealed one in five restaurants and takeaways had not been seen by food inspectors for more than two years - something public services union Unison described as a 'serious public health issue.'

Last week, a report from the FSA said a 'long-term decline in numbers' had put pressure on the work of local authority environmental health inspectors, with a 'significant backlog in the number of food businesses awaiting inspection.' According to the FSA's Our Food 2023 report, barely half, 51.9 per cent, of inspections were delivered on time last year, meaning there were 101,000 businesses with inspections overdue.

The report read: "While local authorities take a risk-based approach to prioritising activity, meaning the highest risk businesses have largely been inspected, delays in inspecting lower risk businesses and new food establishments remain a serious concern. Poor hygiene comes at a cost to public health and the economy."

Heather Kelman, the chair of Food Standards Scotland, said: "This is the third year where concerns have been raised and we need to act now to maintain high standards and ensure public trust in our food supply chain. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has been vocal for some time about the sustainability of the current model and the impact the lack of resources is having on the regulation of food businesses... we know the system needs reform and we have proposals for reform, but we don’t have the necessary funding to deliver changes to the current system."

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "In November, we will conclude the latest drive to recruit several new officers to help tackle the backlog in the number of food businesses awaiting inspection.

"As highlighted by the FSA, a national labour shortage is contributing to a rise in the number of food businesses awaiting inspection across the country. The FSA is aware of our situation and approves our short term and medium term plan to address the backlog, and they are keen to see us focus on recruiting and training new staff who will then be able to tackle the backlog."