AN AMERICAN-style diner on the Isle of Wight has been served up with a one-star food hygiene rating.

It means 'major improvement' is necessary at AJ's Diner in the Victoria Arcade, Ryde, after Isle of Wight Council inspectors found faults at a visit last month.

They included damaged wood panelling below the under-counter fridge; a melted burger utensil; an unclean underside of the milkshake machine and a lack of documentation and record-taking.

Controls and monitoring procedures were not in place during critical points, inspectors said, including the cooling of high-risk foods and the cooking of burgers.

Inspectors also found 'disorganised' stock throughout the premises with no clear rotation or control system and which 'hampered effective cleaning' and pest activity checks.

While it was noted the general standard of hygiene was satisfactory, inspectors saw various unclean hand-contact surfaces and the areas behind the fryers were greasy.

Members of staff were also unaware of the sources of acrylamide — a naturally occurring by-product in foods, formed by a reaction of amino acids and sugars, which scientists agree has the potential to cause cancer in humans.

It is not possible to eliminate acrylamide from foods but businesses are required to mitigate and reduced its levels.

AJ's Diner has been contacted for comment.