The Isle of Wight Council insist some improvements were made at a popular Isle of Wight Indian restaurant which initially awarded a zero rating - the lowest possible, under the scores on the doors scheme - before being upgraded to a one.

In July 2023, Environmental Health inspectors visited Bengal Palace on Shide Road in Newport.

They noted filthy kitchen conditions, unsanitary storage and inadequate cleaning practices. 

There was thick grease, dirt on sauce bottles of sauces and condiments, mould on kitchen equipment and two servings of burger sauce which were over six years out-of-date.

Isle of Wight County Press: Bengal Palace, Shide, Newport.Bengal Palace, Shide, Newport. (Image: IWCP)

Fly-covered rotting potatoes were stored inside plastic tubs, with a mouldy pan on top, inspectors reported.

Fridge handles, microwave buttons and light switches were dirty and freezer seals were black with mould, as was the blender and a food prep area by the sink and some chopping boards.

Knives had a thick build-up of grime on the handles and the blade.

Raw frozen foods were stored, unorganised and uncovered, beside cooked frozen foods, said inspectors.

There was raw meat inside carrier bags in the freezer and shredded lettuce was being stored in the outside fridge without a lid and next to buckets of raw meat.

Inspectors found staff lacked proper training in food hygiene, with no evidence of recent certification. 

Flies were found and there was a fear that rats could be present in the yard, though inspectors did not see any at the time of their visit).

Inspectors said cleaning standards had ‘deteriorated to an unacceptable level’, compared to the previous inspection, in January 2021.

A County Hall spokesperson said a low rating - in this case, a zero - does not necessary mean a food business can be formally closed. Rather, it depends on the individual business and the type of action required.

Four months later, in December, inspectors returned to find frozen food still uncovered in freezers, beside cooked frozen foods.

Meat in perishing plastic bags in the freezer and mould on a cloth under a chopping board.

This time, a one was awarded out of a possible five.

The Isle of Wight Council said: "Although there were poor standards, the conditions did not constitute an imminent risk, serious enough to result in the contamination of food, or a significant risk of food contamination.  

"As such it was not appropriate to use powers to the close the premises.  

"Officers worked with the business, advising them on the actions needed to be completed to comply with the food law.

"A number of these actions were completed immediately and others over a short timescale where visits were made to the business to confirm improvements."

The reports were only recently published, and the County Press has contacted Bengal Palace for a comment. At the time of going to press, no statement has been issued.