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Indian restaurant closed after mice infestation found
02/09/2010
The Classic Indian Cuisine restaurant on Belsize Road, Camden, was ordered to close immediately following a Health and Safety inspection which found plagues of cockroaches and mice running riot.
Camden Council received a complaint and sent food safety officers to inspect the restaurant on 17 August. Once there, the inspectors found the restaurant to be in a filthy state and infested with pests.
They found cockroaches crawling over the food preparation surfaces, as well as in the fridges and oven-hoods. They also found mice droppings on work surfaces.
The cleaning cloths were filthy and 'could have spread contamination around the kitchen,' reported the inspectors. Areas of the walls, surfaces and floors were covered in thick layers of grease and food deposits.
Councillor Theo Blackwell, Camden Council's cabinet member for finance, said, “This restaurant posed a serious risk to public health, and anyone eating there was exposed to the risk of food poisoning.
“Mice and cockroaches had contaminated the surfaces where the food was prepared, and the poor standards of cleanliness meant immediate action had to be taken to protect the public. Most food businesses in the borough operate in clean and hygienic premises, however the council will not hesitate to take swift action against anyone serving food that could endanger their customers,” he added.
The restaurant was ordered to pay closure costs of £1,400. It will remain closed until the council is satisfied the restaurant is no longer a threat to public health.
