Cockroach and mice-infested restaurant scores lowest possible rating

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A takeaway where cockroaches were found crawling near uncovered tubs of spices has been blasted by an inspector.

Spice Fusion in Brockley Road, Brockley, was given the worst possible food hygiene score of 0 following a visit by Lewisham council in July.

An inspector found cockroaches crawling on kitchen pipework and on the floor next to where food was prepared at the takeaway on Brockley Road, according to a report.

Eggs, as well as baby and adult cockroaches, were seen in the takeaway’s kitchen, suggesting the infestation had been ongoing for a while, the food hygiene report dated July 28 said.

Manager Abdul Rahim said the cockroach infestation had since been eradicated by pest control experts.

He said the Indian takeaway would receive the top score for food hygiene when it was next inspected in November.

The Lewisham council report reads: “An active infestation of German cockroaches was found in your kitchen. All stages of cockroach life cycle were identified: egg, nymph and adult.

“This indicates that the cockroach infestation has been well established for some time… Cockroaches were found crawling on pipework and flooring next to food preparation areas.”

It continues: “Open containers of spices were on the counter adjacent to the cooker and beside the sink, where live German cockroaches were seen crawling. In addition, various open containers with food were noted underneath the worktop in front of the cookers.”

Mice droppings were also spotted on the kitchen floor next to a freezer. The inspector went on to criticise the takeaway for poor cleanliness throughout the kitchen, noting “dirty food containers” and a “build-up of grease, food debris and dirt” around the oven.

The cockroach infestation posed “an imminent risk to public health,” according to the council report.

Spice Fusion, which promises customers “the finest Authentic Indian cuisine” according to its website, agreed to close immediately following the inspection while the cockroaches were removed.

Abdul Rahim, manager of Spice Fusion, said: “The pest issue has now been sorted and we’ve changed the Tandoori oven. We voluntarily closed until the council approved us to reopen.

“Everything is now 100 per cent spot on. Our next inspection is in November and we hope to get a score of five out of five.”

Pictured top: Spice Fusion in Brockley was given a score of 0 out of 5 for food hygiene (Picture: Google Street View)