Dead rat and cockroach infestation found at kebab shop in Preston

In September 2024, food hygiene inspectors visited Mexicano Food Box, a kebab shop located in Preston, UK, as part of a routine health check. During their inspection, the inspectors encountered shocking conditions in the restaurant’s kitchen, including a dead rat resembling a deep-fried specimen and a significant cockroach infestation. These findings prompted the inspectors to take immediate action, as the health risks posed by such unsanitary conditions could potentially endanger customers' health. In addition to the disturbing discovery of the rat, the inspectors found a filthy kitchen teeming with cockroaches, which posed a serious risk for food contamination. Other violations included improper food storage practices, such as bread buns being stored next to raw doner kebabs and a fridge containing cheese operating at an unacceptable temperature of 13°C, exceeding the legal maximum of 8°C. The restroom facilities were equally unsatisfactory, as they lacked soap, which is a basic requirement for maintaining hygiene. Following the inspection, Mexicano Food Box was given the lowest hygiene rating of zero, indicating that urgent improvements were necessary. The council's food hygiene officer noted that the restaurant needed to implement cleaning measures and pest control to rectify the situation. Consequently, the owners of the kebab shop voluntarily decided to close the establishment to conduct a deep clean and address the cockroach infestation. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding food safety standards in takeout businesses. The council emphasized that food law sets minimum hygiene standards that establishments must adhere to. Failure to comply could lead to formal enforcement actions, including food seizures or the proprietor being prohibited from using certain ingredients or processes. Furthermore, following the inspection, the restaurant was removed from several delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, a move that could severely impact its customer base and revenue in the competitive takeaway market. The actions taken by the inspectors reflect an ongoing commitment to ensuring public health and safety in the food service industry, demanding accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future.