Trump International Golf Links' customers unlikely to be deterred by hygiene inspection rap – Scotsman comment

When will Donald Trump next dine at his Aberdeenshire resort?

It’s probably fair to say that the failure of the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire to pass a food hygiene inspection is among the former US President’s lesser problems right now, given his current legal troubles.

*This story has been updated following new information from Aberdeenshire Council confirming improvements have now been made and the resort has now passed an inspection – see footnote

But it is, at least, rather ironic that the self-confessed germophobe’s business should have been ordered to make improvements by environmental health officials over cleanliness and food safety issues.

As The Scotsman reveals today, inspectors found built-up dirt in parts of the kitchen. And when food handlers washed their hands, they actually contaminated them. Surfaces were “not being effectively sanitised”; fridges and freezers were not kept at the correct temperatures; and sausage meat was discovered in a freezer with a use-by date that expired 83 days before the inspection.

Trump International Scotland rejects the report and insists that a Pass Certificate has now been achieved.

One wonders when Trump will next eat at the resort he has predictably declared to be “among the greatest in the world”. As for the other diners, some might say one would have already needed to have a strong stomach to put money into the pockets of a man as morally repugnant as he is.

Footnote: Prior to publication The Scotsman confirmed with Aberdeenshire Council that improvements were still required following the inspection on February 24 this year. We were told by Council officials that they were.It has now emerged that a revisit was made on March 9 this year where all food safety improvements were found to have been met and a pass certificate issued. The incorrect information was supplied to The Scotsman because the council’s systems were not updated properly, for which they have apologised to The Scotsman. We are happy to clarify this.