A COWLEY Road cocktail bar shut down last month after the eggs used in its sours were deemed an 'imminent risk to health', it can be revealed.

Cafe Baba voluntarily closed on council inspectors' advice on after a visit on Valentine's Day also revealed there was no hot water at the premises.

It was re-opened after officers returned a week later to find both issues had been resolved but its one star rating remained in place.

The Moroccan cocktail bar, which also serves tapas, was unable to serve food until Oxford City Council environmental health officers revisited and gave them the all-clear.

The initial report read: "The premises known as Cafe Baba poses an imminent risk of injury to health, the reasons for this are the lack of hot water to any wash hand basins or sink, resulting in a real risk of contamination.

"You have confirmed that you are willing to close the kitchen and cease the use of shell eggs for sours on a voluntary basis."

The inspectors' report also found a number of other, less serious faults, and ordered improvements to be made.

It said: "You must thoroughly clean the ice machines and grills and keep them clean.

"You must also prove antibacterial cleaner and repair the door to the large ice machine to enable cleaning and prevent contamination.

"Date label all open foods giving a maximum of three days."

Pasteurised eggs are recommended when using raw eggs to make cocktail, such as whisky sour, as shell eggs could harbour bacteria.

An urgent revisit on February 22 led to officers being satisfied that the two main health risks had been eradicated but still picked up more areas where improvement was needed.

Their follow up report read: "I am satisfied that the health risk has been removed and the hot water is working.

"With regards to sours, pasteurised egg is the safest to use, do not use shell eggs.

It added: "Ensure any anti-bacterial cleaners are scent-free to avoid tainting the food.

"Also your fridges should be checked and recorded daily to ensure they are running below 8C."

Management were also ordered to provide allergen information more clearly and make sure all staff were trained to Level 2 in Food Hygiene.

Cafe Baba failed to respond to a request for comment.