December 9th 2024.
The kebab shop had just received some distressing news - they were being told that urgent improvements were needed to address concerns about their food hygiene standards. As if that wasn't bad enough, health inspectors had discovered a deep-fried rat in the shop's kitchen during a routine visit. This shocking discovery led to the shop, Mexicano Food Box, in Preston, Lancashire, voluntarily closing its doors for the time being.
The inspection had also revealed some other concerning issues, as seen in photos taken by the council's food hygiene officer. The kitchen was in a filthy state, with cockroaches scurrying around, and kitchen appliances covered in layers of grime. And to top it all off, there was a dead rat lying on the floor. It was no wonder that the shop had received a zero rating - the lowest possible - for food hygiene, with a clear need for urgent improvement.
Further investigations by the inspectors uncovered more disturbing findings. Raw doner kebabs were stored next to bread buns, a potential source of contamination, and there was no soap in the shop's toilets. The fridge temperature was also found to be higher than the legal requirement, with cheese being stored at a temperature that could potentially cause foodborne illnesses. It was no surprise that the restaurant had been removed from some delivery websites, including Uber Eats, as their food safety standards were clearly not up to par.
A letter from the council, sent to the shop's owners after the inspection, outlined the issues that had been found. It stated that the premises were in a poor state of cleanliness and had a cockroach infestation that was not being properly controlled. Food safety was also a major concern, as food was not being protected from potential contamination. The shop's owners had agreed to voluntarily close and carry out a deep clean, as well as take measures to control the infestation. However, if similar conditions were found in future inspections, formal action may be taken.
A spokesperson from Preston City Council emphasized the importance of maintaining food hygiene standards, stating that when things go wrong, inspectors have the power to seize food, equipment, and records, and even require a business to stop using certain ingredients, processes, or premises. They also noted that businesses have a responsibility to meet the minimum standards set by food laws and that formal action will be taken if standards are not met.
It is clear that Mexicano Food Box has a lot of work to do to improve their food hygiene standards and regain the trust of their customers. In the meantime, it is advised to follow updates from Metro to stay informed about any further developments. After all, we all deserve to have peace of mind when it comes to the safety and cleanliness of the food we consume. Join Metro on Whatsapp for breaking news and juicy stories. Let's hope that the shop takes the necessary steps to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
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