Imagine biting into a slice of pizza or a juicy kebab, only to later discover the place you bought it from had failed its food hygiene inspection—not once, but twice. That’s exactly what happened to customers of Asmin Pizza & Kebab in Swindon, a takeaway joint that found itself at the center of a food safety scandal. But here’s where it gets controversial: after two consecutive zero out of five ratings, the eatery has finally turned things around—or has it? Let’s dive into the story and uncover the details most people might miss.
Located at 15 Rodbourne Road, Asmin Pizza & Kebab first made headlines in February 2023 when food safety officers paid them a visit. The result? A shocking zero rating, the lowest possible score, earning them the title of Swindon’s worst-rated takeaway at the time. If you think that’s bad, wait until you hear what happened next. In a surprise inspection just six months later, on August 8, inspectors found that urgent improvements were still needed, slapping the business with another zero rating. Ouch.
And this is the part most people miss: despite these back-to-back failures, the takeaway’s owner, Krishna Pala, insisted that bad luck played a significant role. According to Krishna, during the second inspection, the boiler—which had been working fine—suddenly malfunctioned just as inspectors walked in. ‘It’s exactly pure bad luck,’ Krishna explained, adding that they had already upgraded to a larger boiler after the first inspection due to capacity concerns. Additionally, a minor issue with a broken spatula used for doner meat was quickly addressed by tossing it in the bin.
Fast forward to January 27, 2024, and it seems the third time’s the charm. Asmin Pizza & Kebab received a new food hygiene rating of three, which, while not perfect, is considered ‘generally satisfactory.’ Krishna has been vocal about taking cleanliness and food safety seriously, even applying for a re-rating with hopes of achieving a four or five. ‘We’ve looked at cross-contamination and made sure everything meets hygiene standards,’ he assured.
But here’s the controversial question: Is a rating of three enough to restore public trust after two zeros? While the takeaway boasts a 3.4 rating on Google and 3.7 on Uber Eats, some customers might still be hesitant. After all, food safety isn’t just about meeting minimum standards—it’s about exceeding them. What do you think? Is Asmin Pizza & Kebab deserving of a second chance, or should past failures overshadow their recent improvements? Let us know in the comments below!
