FOOD hygiene inspectors have apologised for uploading an incorrect rating of a popular Indian restaurant.

As reported by the Star on Monday, June 12, the Food Standards Agency Website showed that the Cottage Tandoori, on Church Road in Rainford, received a one-star rating from its inspection on May 3.

While the business was inspected on that date, the report's information had been incorrectly uploaded following a "genuine human error".

The Indian restaurant and takeaway actually received a two-star food hygiene score from the council's food hygiene inspectors.

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Upload down to 'genuine human error'

Following the error, a St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: “Unlike a recent report which resulted in a system glitch, this issue was down to a genuine human error which has since been rectified and an apology issued to the business affected. 

“Once again, we offer our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused and have taken steps to ensure this mistake is not repeated.” 

Food hygiene report updated

The information has since been updated on the Food Standards Agency website, with the Cottage Tandoori's two-star rating said to accurately reflect the standards of food hygiene found on the date of the inspection.

The report, which can be found here, states that the Church Road business' management of food safety is "generally satisfactory".

However, improvements were reported to be necessary for the business' hygienic food handling, as well as for the cleanliness and condition of the building.

Two-star rating a 'blip' for restaurant

The failings in the business' food hygiene report are described as a "blip" by the manager of the Cottage Tandoori, who said that the business has never been below a five-star rating since opening in 2007.

The manager said that the business failed on issues such as grout on tiles, cleaning in "hard to reach" places, pest control, and bin problems, which it will make sure to rectify.

The manager said: "We take everyone's safety first, it has always been our first priority since we opened in 2007 in Rainford.

"We are human beings and we also tend to make mistakes now and then.

"There are so many new rules and regulations, sometimes it's difficult to keep up and we play catch up. However we do catch up!

"I have complete faith in my chefs, kitchen and cleaning staff that we will make improvements and be back at five stars on our next inspection."