Takeaway shut down after inspectors find signs of rats

ENVIRONMENTAL health officers discovered a rat infestation in a takeaway and the mini-market next door.

Both premises were ordered to close by Rotherham Council after its staff visited Masbrough to investigate.

Live and dead rats were found in food preparation areas at Presto Pizza (above), as well as rodent droppings.

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The premises were shut by RMBC, which served a hygiene emergency prohibition notice on business operator Md Rezaul Haque.

Officers had deemed that there was an imminent risk to health, and this view was shared when the matter went before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.

The emergency order was confirmed at the hearing, which was held in the absence of the operator.

Cllr Dominic Beck, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Hygiene emergency prohibition notices are not served for minor breaches. 

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“The presence of rats in the food preparation area was potentially putting their customer's health at serious risk.”

The council authorised the re-opening of the takeaway on Tuesday and it opened again yesterday (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, a dead rat was found caught in a trap on top of the suspended ceiling at the Millmoor Minimarket  — just next door on Masbrough Street.

Officials also found rodent droppings on the floor and under shelving units, concluding that there was a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to health.

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A hygiene emergency prohibition notice and a notice of intention to apply for a hygiene emergency prohibition order was served on business operator Alan Jamal Abdullah, requiring the shop to close.

The emergency order was confirmed at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 5 in the operator’s absence.

The store was allowed to reopen after environmental health officers made a follow-up visit on October 7 and were satisfied that the health risk had been “removed”.

Cllr Beck said: “Food business operators have a legal duty to keep their premises hygienic and any failure to do so will not be tolerated.”