Disgusting pictures show the moment food hygiene inspectors discovered a dead rat and a cockroach infestation at a kebab shop in Preston called Mexicano Food Box
Health inspectors were shocked to discover what looked like a deep-fried rat during a visit to a kebab shop.
The crispy rodent was found during a visit to Mexicano Food Box, in Preston, Lancs – which voluntarily closed following the inspection.
Photos taken by the council’s food hygiene officer in September show the filthy kitchen area is teeming with cockroaches.
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More pictures show kitchen appliances caked with dirt and a rat which appears like it has been deep fried.
The restaurant was given the lowest possible rating of zero following the visit, meaning that ‘urgent improvement’ is necessary.
Food hygiene inspectors also discovered bread buns being stored next to raw doner kebabs and no soap in the toilets.
A fridge containing cheese was also found to be operating at a temperature of 13 C, higher than the legal maximum of eight.
The restaurant, which has been removed from some delivery websites, such as Uber Eats, offers takeaway food including pizza, kebabs, burgers, and burritos.
A council letter sent to the owners following the visit says: “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.
“Should similar conditions be found on any future inspections then formal action may be taken.”
A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “Where things go wrong, inspectors can detain and seize food, equipment, records, and in the worse cases require a business to stop using a particular ingredient, process or premises.
“Food law provides a minimum standard for businesses to maintain. Where businesses fail to maintain those hygiene standards, formal action will be taken where the proprietor does not cooperate fully. “
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