A damning inspection of a Merseyside fish and chip shop found mouse droppings.
Inspectors from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) visited Saughall Massie Fish and Chip Bar in Moreton in September 2022, and published their findings. In the food hygiene report, the chip shop was given the lowest possible rating of zero.
Premises are judged on three categories by inspectors: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety.
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Saughall Massie Fish and Chip Bar was slapped with the lowest rating in all of these categories - with the FSA ordering the chippy to improve urgently. Details from the report reveal that inspectors were concerned about pest activity in the premises.
Part of the report states: "Mice droppings were found at floor level throughout the premises behind and under equipment, fridges, freezers and fittings.
"The manager, who was present at the time of the inspection insisted that the floor behind the True Fridge has been cleaned the week before my visit, which would indicate that the droppings found during the inspection were from fresh activity."
The report added that until pest activity had been "completely eradicated" the business must continue to ensure that "prior to any food preparation taking place and on a daily basis, inspect the premises for live or dead mice."
It added: "When I arrived a washing up bowl of rice was on the shelf in the rear prep area and you explained that it had been cooked after lunchtime that day.
"It remained at room temperature the entire time I was there, which was two hours, and it had already been cooled down when I got there. This is not acceptable."
The report also found a number of flies in kitchens, as well as waste bins without lids and dirty equipment.
The ECHO approached Saughall Massie Fish and Chip Bar for comment.
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