A supermarket chain branch has been told to retrain its staff after inspectors found food stored above freezer load lines and a pack of sausages being sold past their use-by date.

Iceland at Swanley Square Shopping Centre was given a one-star food hygiene rating following an inspection on March 3.

Food items in many of the chest freezers were stored above the load line, contrary to company policy. Picture: SDCFood items in many of the chest freezers were stored above the load line, contrary to company policy. Picture: SDCFood items in many of the chest freezers were stored above the load line, contrary to company policy. Picture: SDC

Inspectors said food items in “many” of the chest freezers were being stored above the load line, despite the issue having been raised during previous visits.

According to the report, many of the freezers had been replenished on the day of the visit, however, the items above the load level in the ice cream freezers had been there since the previous day.

The report states: “A couple of items were probed and found to be -11.9C and -10.3C, these items were disposed of.”

The branch was advised to “assess which items had fallen out of [the] temperature control parameters and take the necessary action required by the company food safety procedures.”

Inspectors also found a packet of sausages in a chiller with a use-by date of March 2, which was removed from sale.

Inspectors found a packet of sausages in a chiller that were past their use-by date. Picture: SDCInspectors found a packet of sausages in a chiller that were past their use-by date. Picture: SDCInspectors found a packet of sausages in a chiller that were past their use-by date. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDC

The report noted that “it is an offence to sell items past the use-by date.”

It also stated that the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer “required improving”, adding that the probe thermometer required cleaning.

It said: “Ensure that company procedures are followed and stock is stored correctly. Retrain staff.”

The branch was given a one-star rating, meaning “urgent improvement” is necessary.

An Iceland Foods spokesperson said: “Iceland takes safety, hygiene and standards with the utmost seriousness, and is committed to maintaining a safe and clean environment.

Inspectors said the probe thermometer required cleaning. Picture: SDCInspectors said the probe thermometer required cleaning. Picture: SDCInspectors said the probe thermometer required cleaning. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDCInspectors said the standard of cleaning and housekeeping in the walk-in chiller and freezer required improving. Picture: SDC

“We are currently working with the local authority to understand the context of their last inspection of our Swanley store, and have requested a re-inspection in the belief that we have addressed any issues that may have affected the store’s rating.

“As a business, across our store portfolio we aim for the highest standards and we achieve excellent overall compliance with the relevant Food Safety Regulations, with 97.6% of our stores holding five or four star food hygiene ratings.”