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An international fried chicken chain which described itself as ‘reputable’ was told to clean up its rat infestation – or face legal action.
Chickos Fried Chicken, at Acregate Lane in Ribbleton, which also has restaurants in both India and UAE, was slapped with a food hygiene rating of zero after a visit from food safety officers at Preston City Council on October 8.
A letter sent to the business, seen by Blog Preston, spoke of a imminent risk to health from a rat infestation and evidence of rat droppings on floors, shelving, worktops and even in boxes containing open packets of food.
Other issues included the growth of food poisoning bacteria to dangerous levels, cross contamination, staff not wearing suitable clean and protective clothing, surfaces being sanitised and a number of items outside of the business – including a vending machine – which made it easy for pests to hide.
The business closed voluntarily, as is the norm when a food safety inspection is so problematic, with a view to reopening when the improvements were made.
Blog Preston attempted to contact Chickos Fried Chicken but received no response. Preston City Council said did not respond in time for publication.
The letter said: “All areas where food is prepared and stored must be clean and capable of being kept clean. This is so that pests are not attracted into your premises and the risk of food being contaminated by dirt is minimised.
“At the time of the inspection there was an imminent risk to health from the Rat infestation and the evidence of droppings throughout the premises, on floors, shelving, worktops and in boxes containing open packets of food.”
All of the issues required improving for Chickos Fried Chicken to be operating at a minimum legal standard.
Other issues, categorised as recommendations rather than requirements, included better monitoring of the fridges, defined cooking temperatures and a daily cleaning and sanitisation regime.
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