More pests at the Beeb! BBC blasted for food hygiene after inspectors find COCKROACHES in canteen used by stars including Alex Jones, Zoe Ball and Vernon Kay

As someone who has spent countless hours working in various newsrooms over the years, I can wholeheartedly sympathize with the plight of BBC staff when it comes to their canteen food. I remember my own share of less-than-stellar cafeteria experiences during my journalistic journey, where the culinary offerings were more akin to an inside joke than a satisfying meal.

Food safety checks carried out at the BBC’s cafeterias have uncovered numerous hygiene problems, such as a cockroach infestation in their primary celebrity eatery.

According to reports obtained by TopMob, The News Cafe, a popular spot for both staff and celebrities like Alex Jones, Zoe Ball, and Vernon Kay at Broadcasting House in London, struggled with a recurring infestation of pests.

At the Beeb’s Media City studios in Salford, where large programs such as Match of the Day are produced, it was discovered that food items in the kitchen were past their expiration dates from the PREVIOUS YEAR. (or)

The documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act are quite disturbing, even for those dining within the BBC’s facilities.

Certain papers, among them five produced within the past year, suggest instances of fruit flies and drain flies being drawn to areas with unclean drains, decaying skirting boards, and moldy walls, implying invasions by these insects.

Cockroaches breed fast and can spread food poisoning bugs salmonella and E. Coli. They also trigger asthma and allergies by shedding body parts and faeces.

Last year from September to December, it was regularly found that German cockroaches were active in the kitchen of The News Cafe, as confirmed by Rentokil’s inspections.

I’ve been battling these pesky critters for what seems like an eternity, but my insecticide sprays just weren’t cutting it – they kept coming back relentlessly! Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten my hands on any more recent reports, so I can’t tell if the canteen is still overrun or if there’s a glimmer of hope.

In September, three different checks revealed signs of cockroach infestation in the kitchen and dish-washing zone, with actual adult insects being trapped.

It was observed that a thorough cleaning under the sinks was needed to get rid of the buildup that seemed to be attracting fruit flies. Additionally, fruit flies were spotted near the microwaves, which are often used by staff to warm their meals.

According to one report, it’s thought that insects are shifting their activities from the kitchen into the dining hall.

Nevertheless, even after a toxic spraying treatment, five additional inspections in October, November, and December revealed that the cockroach infestation persisted.

According to the BBC, the problem has been addressed, however, frequent checks are being conducted to ensure the bugs don’t return again.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that our beloved canteen has earned the top five-star food hygiene rating! Regular inspections ensure our canteen maintains high standards, and whenever concerns arise, we promptly address them with immediate action.

During previous inspections, unsanitary conditions such as the presence of ‘red goo’ in some kitchens, were uncovered not only in London but also in Salford.

Legal demands were issued to fix the problems immediately so the cafeterias could stay open.

In Salford, the location where Gary Lineker, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer record Match of the Day, a lack of soap near the sinks was present, creating an issue for food preparation staff as they couldn’t wash their hands thoroughly.

At The News Cafe, inspectors found that their sinks and dishwashers were not meeting cleanliness standards. Specifically, there was an excessive amount of ‘red slime’ present, indicating a need for thorough cleaning.

Due to a six-month buildup of grime, there were additional issues regarding cleanliness that required cleaning before operations could continue.

The malfunctioning ‘grease trap’ in the primary dish-washing area led to rules being disregarded, necessitating a thorough cleaning of the kitchen’s shelves.

In my role as a diligent adherent to food safety guidelines, I recognized that the displayed food had been left out at inappropriate temperatures for an extended period, exceeding the permissible limit set by the health regulations. Consequently, it became necessary for me to thoroughly clean and sanitize all kitchen equipment.

The report also noted that there was insufficient space in the freezer to store food, and that in the past the kitchen had been plagued by an infestation of fruit flies — which can carry unhygienic bacteria.

At the two canteens located within Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, where Strictly Come Dancing is produced, there were a few small problems requiring attention.

Among the issues were chipped paint requiring repair for thorough cleaning of the splashback, as well as a deteriorating ceiling in a storage area.

Local authorities are responsible for inspecting businesses and enforcing food hygiene laws.

If they discover that food hygiene standards aren’t satisfactory, they have the authority to enforce changes, which may involve demanding corrections, shutting down the establishment temporarily, or even pursuing legal action against those responsible.

Inspections take place at up to five-year intervals but are often more frequent. The reports released to the Daily Mail are for the most recent inspections at all three BBC locations for 2020 and 2022.

Food served at BBC staff cafeterias is notoriously poor and has been a source of humor for several well-known personalities like Ronnie Corbett, Peter Sellers, Terry Wogan, and Les Dawson.

1954 saw sellers jokingly remark on The Goon Show, “It’s time for lunch at the BBC canteen. Medical personnel are on standby.

Notably, esteemed BBC World News Correspondent, John Simpson, humorously commented on platform X, previously known as Twitter, stating: “The meal I savored at an affordable roadside eatery in Khartoum surpassed the quality of the BBC cafeteria.

BBC producer Kevin Core shared his displeasure over a tuna mayo sandwich he described as extremely subpar, mentioning that the maker of the sandwich was aware it was inedibly hard and stale, finding such an act outrageous.

In a playful tone, news anchor Rich Preston jokingly dismissed the portrayal of the BBC’s offices in the series “Scoop,” a drama about the Prince Andrew interview, as “completely absurd.” He further commented that the show depicted the BBC canteen offering a diverse and nutritious selection of food.

Writer Bethany Black described the canteen’s food as “the most unpleasant meal I’ve ever had.” She further explained that a tin of chopped tomatoes with a diced mushroom is not a true bolognese sauce, and simply adding bell pepper does not transform it into chilli.

BBC Director Rob Jones shared a photo of a bowl containing what appeared to be a vibrant red ‘broth’, expressing his dissatisfaction by labeling it as “terrible” or “awful”.

2021 saw Radio 4 newsreader Chris Berrow jokingly comment: ‘Given that National Avocado Day has been frequently promoted at the BBC Canteen, I’m disheartened to discover yet again that nothing on this year’s menu includes avocado.’

Allie Hodgkins-Brown, an editor at BBC News, voiced her dissatisfaction over having to pay £1.50 for a simple spread of butter and Marmite on two slices of bread that she’d brought in herself.

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2024-09-21 15:22