Shake & Burger closes after officers uncover mouse infestation with droppings found near food areas
A mouse infestation has forced a business to close
A court order has forced a mouse-infested takeaway to close following an inspection which revealed a risk to public safety.
Environmental health officers visited Shake & Burger, in Copnor Road, Portsmouth, on July, 14 where they uncovered an active mouse infestation throughout the kitchen.
.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Mouse droppings were found in a number of food preparation and storage areas, including around an ice cream machine, alongside bottles of sauce, next to a chopping board, on clingfilm and around food storage containers. The ice cream machine had previously been prohibited from use because of mouse activity.
The takeaway was closed at the time of the inspection after being served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
Two days later (July 16), Portsmouth Magistrates' Court granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, where it was agreed there was an imminent risk of injury to health and requiring the premises to remain closed until the health risk has been removed.
Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, leisure & sport, said: "Food businesses have a legal responsibility to maintain high standards of food hygiene and protect their customers from harm. The conditions found at this premises presented a serious risk to public health and officers acted swiftly to ensure that risk was removed.
"I'd like to thank our environmental health officers for their professionalism, expertise and prompt action in identifying these issues and taking the necessary enforcement action to protect residents and visitors.
"We will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where standards fall so far below what is acceptable. Our priority will always be protecting the public and ensuring that food businesses in Portsmouth operate safely and responsibly."
During the inspection, officers also identified serious hygiene concerns including a lack of soap at the wash hand basin, meaning food handlers could not adequately wash their hands before preparing food. There was no sanitiser spray available for cleaning food preparation surfaces, and significant accumulations of grease and food debris around the fryer area.
As a result, the business will now remain closed until officers are satisfied the safety concerns have been fully addressed. Shake & Burger’s website says the takeaway is “temporarily closed”.