TWO Scots hospitals have failed food hygiene inspections after the watchdog found out of date produce and raw ingredients stored incorrectly.
The Food Standards Agency visited the kitchens of the Victoria Infirmary and Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow and discovered food bags left open, out of date produce in a fridge and raw food stored incorrectly.
Managers at the two hospitals were asked to carry out immediate improvements following the inspections.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) visited the kitchens at the Victoria Infirmary on August 29.
Inspectors examined food safety management records and found that, during the month of August, refrigerator temperatures in Ward 1 were above the "critical limit" for four days before action was taken.
During contamination prevention checks they also found raw food - frozen sausages - stored on shelves above ready-to-eat food in the freezer.
Inspectors also found that food equipment that should have been disinfected was being cleaned along with water jugs in a sink using normal detergent.
In their report, under the heading "stock control/food protection", inspectors noted "an open bag of pasta was found in the dry goods store" and "an out of date yogurt was found in the ward 15 refrigerator".
Gartnavel Hospital failed to pass its inspection because of inadequate ventilation in the ward kitchens.
According to the FSA, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Western Infirmary, Stobhill Hospital and the Southern General all passed their most recent hygiene inspections.
A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "The food hygiene reports by the Food Standards Agency on the Victoria Infirmary and Gartnavel Royal Hospital were taken extremely seriously. Both reports noted that both hospitals have a documented food safety management system in place in accordance with legislation and we work hard to ensure the systems and monitoring procedures in our kitchen areas are robust.
"The ventilation issue identified at Gartnavel Royal Hospital is being addressed and staff are working closely with the Foods Standards Agency to ensure the hospital receives a pass at their next inspection.
"The dishwasher issue at the Victoria Infirmary has been rectified and we have reinforced with catering staff the protocols for food storage."
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for improving food safety and standards in Scotland and protecting the public. Its inspectors carry out regular food hygiene inspections to all premises which make and serve food. The outcomes of the inspections, either 'pass' or 'improvement required', are published online.
A search shows a total of 171 premises in Glasgow, listed under "schools, colleges and universities", passed inspections but 20 schools did not score a pass and were given ratings of 'improvement required'. However some of the inspections date back to 2009 and a spokesman for Glasgow City Council said these improvements have since been carried out.
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