A PUB has scored the second-lowest food hygiene score after being unable to prove its rare venison burgers were safe to eat.

The Black Bull in Launton, near Bicester, was handed a one-star rating after officials decided that new rules for serving meat rare were not being followed and food storage needed to be improved.

Now the pub has changed how well-done it serves up its burgers and is awaiting a new inspection date.

Owner Tracy Solera said: “They said everything else was perfect but it is just because we have a high-risk food on the menu. We had the officer round and she said the kitchen was spotless.

“We are just having to do it [the venison burger] well-done now to conform with them. It is one of our most popular dishes and people said ‘please do not take it off the menu’. So we wanted to keep it on.

“We have been in the catering industry for over 20 years – it is just because of the new legislation. It is quite insulting.”

It comes after legislation changed in September 2015, in which the Food Standards Agency said to serve rare burgers, eateries must have a food safety management plan in place, rules for sourcing meat, and specific signage on menus.

Inspectors decided on an overall verdict of “major improvement necessary”, after the pub was rated “poor” in food hygiene and safety.

Additionally, there was “little confidence in management” but, inspectors added, “very good” structural compliance.

In the report, the pub was told: “This score has been given primarily because you are serving rare venison burgers at the premises without being able to demonstrate that the process you follow ensures the product is safe to consume”.

The report also noted that all food removed from the original packaging should have been labelled to ensure it was used within date.

It also said that ready-to-eat food should have been stored separately from raw food.

This came after inspectors found cooked chicken was stored among raw meat and two tubs of olives – some of which were to be placed on the bar – uncovered at the bottom of the raw meat fridge.

The Black Bull was told: “Any raw foods which may drip or fall into items below can result in contamination that could lead to food poisoning.

“As such you must ensure that ready-to-eat foods are stored separately or with raw food stored below.”

The West End pub has now applied for a reassessment after the December inspection.

It is waiting to be told a new inspection date.