Family-run farm shop described as 'fab little place' gets zero hygiene rating

Following a reinspection on November 26, 2024, the business has been issued a four out of five rating.

A family-run farm shop has been told to make "urgent improvements" to how it is managing its food. Keaters Farm Shop, in Nanstallon near Bodmin, was visited out of the blue by an environmental health officer last month.

The independent shop, which sells everything from meat and vegetables to bread, pies and milkshakes, was ordered to make urgent improvements and given a zero food hygiene rating following an inspection on October 17.

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Only five businesses out of more than 5,000 in Cornwall hold the damning rating - the lowest on a scale from zero to five. The shop closed early on October 23 for "shop maintenance" and remained closed the following day but then reopened normally on October 25.

During the inspection, the most serious area needing addressing was that of food safety management. The Cornwall Council worker found urgent improvements were needed relating to the system or checks 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.

The less serious 'improvement necessary' was found for the categories including hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building. Keaters Farm Shop, which opened for the first time in July, has been contacted for comment.

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Only positive reviews have been left for the shop since its opening which includes remarks calling it a "fab little place". One review on its Facebook page states: "Had a lovely piece of fore rib beef from the shop.

"Price compared well with prices of local butchers shop and above all the meat was nothing tender and delicious. Also had black pudding which was lovely. Will be back to buy more."

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says that inspections, carried out in conjunction with the local authority, do not assess the quality of the food, customer service, culinary skill, presentation or comfort. Environmental health officers instead assess the parts of a business that members of the public do not see.

This includes handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed. More on that below in our fact box about food hygiene ratings. Businesses can also appeal the rating and ask for a re-inspection.

A spokesperson for Keaters said: "Obviously receiving the 0 rating has left us devastated and shocked.

"As a small farming family run business we take great pride in our farm shop and the local produce that we sell. Unfortunately having the inspection so quickly after newly opening we didn’t have a couple of minor precautions in place that were required, along with some other low risk issues resulting in the outcome.

"One major improvement was some unfinished paper work. We are a very low risk business, selling mainly sourced products from other local businesses.

"We have worked as quickly and as effectively as we could to ensure the improvements were done within the same week, now awaiting a new inspection, which we feel confident in for a much better outcome.

Since opening we have absolutely loved meeting all of our customers and appreciate all of the support. We look forward to carrying on business as usual with lots of exciting things upcoming as we head towards Christmas."

Check out the food hygiene rating for your favourite places to eat

Food Hygiene Ratings are scores given to food businesses based on inspections by local authority Environmental Health Officers in partnership with the Food Standards Agency. These ratings assess the hygiene standards, cleanliness, and sanitation practices of the establishment, helping consumers make informed choices about where to purchase and eat food.

Food hygiene ratings are grades given to food handling businesses after an inspection has assessed how well they comply with food safety law. Ratings are a snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with food hygiene law at all times.

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