'BLACK sludge', 'greasy ceilings' and 'dirty flour bins' were just some of the issues food safety and hygiene inspectors found at a Wallasey takeaway.

Pizza Plus on Sea View Road received an overall hygiene rating of zero following the inspection on July 18 this year.

Under the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, the takeaway was rated 25 for hygiene (the best score is 0, the poorest score is 25) 10 for structure (the best score is 0, the poorest score is 25) and 30 for confidence in management (the best score is 0, the poorest score is 30).

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Wirral Council revealed that "many of the issues are repeated from previous inspections".

Among the issues noted by inspectors were pizza toppings not being refrigerated, donner meat being stored in a bain-marie for long periods and staff members on duty not wearing any suitable over clothing, such as an apron.

During the inspection, staff were asked how to prepare a gluten-free pineapple pizza but they did not mention washing their hands and used "ingredients in the saladette (which) were clearly contaminated".

"Until all of your staff are trained to work safely especially when unsupervised, it is my opinion that you cannot avoid cross contamination and you should tell your customers that you can’t provide an allergen-free dish," read the report. 

Several pieces of equipment were identified as not being clean, including a food mixer used for milkshakes that was "full of black sludge and smelt of rot"; a shelf of the white raw meat fridge that was dirty with food spillage and flour bins that were "dirty, especially on the hand contact points and lids".

The report continued: "Wall floor junctions throughout the premises required cleaning to remove inground dirt from the sealant.

"Lower-level cleaning was required to the walls and pipework throughout the kitchen underneath and behind all equipment as it was greasy and required a more detailed clean. You will need to scrape off the black debris which has built up.

"The sealant to the counter which houses the dough roller in the washroom was dirty and required replacing. The ceiling was greasy in front of the cook-line."

Various paperwork relating to food hygiene had not been completed "for months" and three new members of staff had not received any relevant training.

The management was also criticised for using turkey/chicken ham despite the menu not stating a substitute was being used and also using genetically modified sources when this was not made clear. 

The report concludes: "During this inspection it has been identified that you have continued to fail to comply with the requirements set out in the notice and as such I will now be moving forward with further formal action."

Pizza Plus has been contacted for a response.