Trip Advisor says they are great, but Miah’s and Spice Lounge get zero food safety scores

Two top rated food outlets in West Berkshire have been given the worst score possible by the Food Standards Agency.

Miah’s of Reading Road, Pangbourne, and Spice Lounge of Theale got given a zero out of five score by the watchdog, saying major improvements were necessary in the hygienic handling of food, cleanliness and the management of food safety.

But the ratings website Tripadvisor gives both places rave reviews.

They get four out of five for food and cleanliness.

Many say the restaurants are “one of the best around” and rave about the quality and freshness of the food and friendly service.

The FSA website says Miah’s restaurant was inspected in September last year and Spice Lounge in August.

Food inspectors say hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage needed to improve at both establishments.

And major improvements were required in cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings – including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control – to enable good food hygiene.

According to inspectors, other improvements were also needed in the management of food safety where a system or checks are in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.