A PIZZA takeaway and Chinese takeaway have been added to the list of city businesses to receive a one star food hygiene ratings from health inspectors.

The rating is the next to lowest on the zero to five scale used by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and means “major improvement is necessary”.

Pizza Co, at Unit C3 Blockhouse Close, and Fortune House Chinese takeaway, in St John’s, received their one star ratings in January and June respectively.

READ MORE: FOOD HYGIENE: The nine food businesses given one star rating by Worcester health inspectors

Inspectors found at Pizza Co that in the area of hygienic food handling, "improvement was necessary" and in the management of food safety “major improvement necessary”.

The inspection at the takeaway took place on January 14. A reporter struggled to find the premises on Friday, and no one answered the company’s phone number when a reporter called it.

In August the Worcester News reported on Fortune House that had been warned to drastically improve its allergen awareness, after it received a second one-star rating in three years.

The preparation room was in need of a thorough clean, there were out-of-date pest records and no lock on the toilet door, inspectors found. Fortune House declined to comment when contacted by a reporter.

The other seven that have the rating listed on the FSA website are Powick Kebab operating from a mobile van at the layby between Hams Way And Malvern A449 Roundabout, Atila Kebabs which is described as a mobile caterer, Curry Hut in Upper Tything, Dixy Chicken in Sidbury, Happy Taste in Orchard Street, Kays in The Cross, and Watan Supermarket in Cole Hill.

We reported on them in June when attempts to gain a comment from all of them proved unsuccessful.

READ MORE: Chinese takeaway warned about 'major' allergen issues

There has been an update on the FSA website though that states Happy Taste in Orchard Street, was “recently inspected – new rating to be published soon.”

The takeaways that have received five stars will be reported on in the Worcester News later this week.

Helen Cameron, food safety manager at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: “Hygiene ratings are about putting power into the hands of the public because they can see at a glance the standard of hygiene in restaurants, cafes, take-aways and food retailers.

"If a business only scores one out of five, they will be given a written action plan on how to improve their standards and could face enforcement action if improvements are not made.

"We encourage people to alert us to any issues they find at food outlets on 01905 822799 or food.gov.uk.”

If managers disagree with a rating, or believe their business has been upgraded since receiving the one-star rating listed on the site, they should contact the FSA directly.

Managers can also request a new inspection on the website.