Tower Hamlets is the least hygienic place to eat out in London

Cereal Killer Cafe is in Brick Lane. Pic: Google Archant

Tower Hamlets has been revealed as the least hygienic place to eat out in London.

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The borough is home to the highest number of filthy restaurants and takeaways in London, according to Food Standards Agency ratings.

A total of 294, more than 10 per cent, of eateries in the East End have hygiene ratings of one or zero, meaning inspectors found “urgent or major” improvements were needed in the way food was stored, prepared or cooked.

Eighteen outlets in trendy Brick Lane alone fall foul of inspectors, including the Cereal Killer Cafe which has a one-star rating.

Inspectors found the cafe, which recently announced plans to sell cereal in hollowed out avocado skins, needs “major improvement” to “ensure food sold or served is safe to eat”.

The FSA rates establishments from zero to five in three categories – hygienic food handling, management of food safety and cleanliness and condition of facilities – as part of its “scores on the doors” system.

Cereal Killer Café owner Alan Keery said the café’s last inspections resulted in one star because of a leaky kitchen roof.

He said: “We had the rating when we relocated to our new Brick Lane site, and due to a leak when the premises was vacant, it caused the kitchen ceiling to crack. This was resolved and we are waiting on a new inspection.”

A Tower Hamlets Council spokeswoman said 84 per cent of food premises in the borough “score three or more on the food hygiene rating scheme”:

She added: “Tower Hamlets has a higher number of food businesses than neighbouring boroughs, the majority of which are compliant with good food hygiene.”

Three other boroughs have more than 200 outlets with a zero or one star rating – Croydon, Ealing and Camden.

It is a legal requirement for food businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland to display their rating and the FSA wants to introduce the same law in the UK.

An FSA spokesperson said: “We believe this will be better for consumers.

“It will also be better for businesses that achieve good standards as they will get more recognition and it will increase the spotlight on those not meeting the grade.”

Click here to check the rating of any eatery in the UK.