Takeaway closed after council discovers rat and mice infestation

Friday, 13 September 2024 17:13

Walsall takeaway ‘Saleem’s Fish Bar and Kebab House, West Bromwich Road was closed by council environmental health officers last week following the discovery of a widespread and active rat and mice infestation.

Officers inspected the premises on 4 September 2024 and served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice on the owners, shutting the business down until work to bring the premises and hygiene practices up to a satisfactory standard was undertaken and the health risk removed. Evidence gathered from the premises was presented to the Magistrates’ Court who confirmed the order.

Evidence was found of mice droppings underneath a microwave, on shelving next to cans of pop, on boxes of menus and underneath a fridge. Further to this, rat droppings were found on the floor by the potato peeler, at the back of fridges and freezers in the rear prep room, on cardboard on a shelf in the rear room and underneath a food preparation sink.

Councillor Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council and portfolio holder for Environmental Health at Walsall Council said. "Businesses are responsible for maintaining hygiene and safety standards on their premises to ensure they don't pose any health risks to customers.

"The presence of rats and mice in a food business is utterly unacceptable—this is a fundamental expectation that customers have the right to demand.

"Kudos to our officers for protecting public health by identifying this serious violation and shut down the business immediately using emergency powers.

"I am a major advocate of the national food hygiene rating scheme and have implored the government to make it mandatory to display the ‘scores on the doors ‘for all food premises. I urge all residents to check the rating of the food business they are purchasing from as this is a good indicator of the safety of the food. Businesses with a high rating (4/5) deserve to receive your custom more than those who may ‘cut corners’.”