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An uncontrolled cockroach infestation and the discovery of a rat were just two of the reasons a New Hall Lane takeaway was forced to close temporarily.
Officers from Preston City Council’s Environmental Health Services team carried out an inspection at Mexicano Food Box that led to the business agreeing to close to implement a deep clean – and handle the cockroach infestation.
The New Hall Lane business, which describes itself as ‘one of the finest takeaways in town’, serves pizzas, burgers, wraps, kebabs and more standard takeaway fare. They were able to improve standards to at least a minimum legal threshold to continue operating after their temporary closure, Blog Preston understands.
Open food containers were left accessible to cockroaches and a poorly maintained building was making it too easy for cockroaches to find shelter and thrive in the property.
Other issues that were deemed as not being up to the minimum legal standard included the temperature cheese slices were stored at, bread buns being stored next to raw donner kebabs, a lack of clean clothing for staff and food being stored in open containers, all of which was deemed to be a contamination risk.
On top of this, the microwave, lid and rims of the freezers, outside of the spice containers, door runners and doors to the drinks fridge and cooker top were all found to be dirty on the day of inspection.
A rat was also found inside the business – deceased – but not mentioned in the report. Images obtained by Blog Preston were queried and a food safety officer confirmed it was a rat.
A letter to Mexicano Food Box from Preston City Council, obtained by Blog Preston, read: “The premises was in a poor state of cleanliness at the time of the inspection and a cockroach infestation was found without adequate control. Food was not protected from a risk of contamination.
“You agreed to voluntarily close the business to carry out a deep clean and put measures in place to control the cockroach infestation.”
The business was ordered to implement a number of improvements while closed including the elimination of the cockroaches, a thorough clean of the premises, replacing the chopping boards which could not be properly disinfected, providing soap to staff, give staff formal food hygiene training, and use posters which make it clear to staff and customers of a cross-contamination risk for those with allergies.
A number of improvements were also recommended to Mexicano Food Box which are not mandatory to meet legal requirements, including a stock control system, sauces being stored in the fridge, old equipment removed and extra hygiene practices related to the cockroach activity.
It is understood the business has been removed from Deliveroo, JustEat and UberEats as a result of their hygiene rating in line with the policies of those apps.
Blog Preston was unable to reach Mexicano Food Box for a comment but Preston City Council were able to confirm that standards had improved to a mimimum legal level upon a revisit.
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