A mice infestation, cleaning issues and a lack of hot water mean three takeaways across the borough have the lowest possible food hygiene ratings – but all remain open.
Top Chicken and Kebabs, in Porters Avenue, Chicks Chicken and Pizza, in Goresbrook Road – both in Dagenham – and Chang Wah, in Roycroft Avenue, Barking, all have a Food Standards Agency (FSA) rating of zero out of five.
Top Chicken and Kebabs owner Ayyaz Ahmed, 48, closed his business for 10 days in February after an inspection revealed a mice infestation.
Although the rodents were found inside the eatery – which claims to supply the biggest pizza in town – Mr Ahmed, who lives in Luton, claims the problem was solely caused by a build-up of rubbish outside.
Despite admitting that mice had been spotted again as recently as Friday – blaming the ongoing bin strikes for their appearance – he insists customers should not be worried about eating there.
“After the inspection we did everything we were told,” he said. “I’m not worried. They came back because the rubbish is not being collected again.
“We’ve called pest control who got rid of 95 per cent – what else can I do?”
Pest activity was also reported at Chang Wah following an inspection on October 16, where the FSA also noted “a lack of routine cleaning”.
The Chinese takeaway shut for 24 hours but, following another visit from the FSA, reopened for business.
Inspectors visited Chicks Chicken and Pizza on October 23, and reported cleaning issues and a lack of hot water.
A FSA spokesman said: “Where businesses are given ratings of ‘zero’ or ‘one’, they must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards.
“As well as giving advice and guidance to the business, the local authority food safety officer can take a number of formal actions to make sure the necessary improvements are made and are likely to revisit the business to check this.”
The Post contacted the owners of both Chang Wah and Chicks Chicken and Pizza but they declined to comment.
Have you ever eaten food from Top Chicken and Kebabs, Chang Wah or Chicks Chicken and Pizza? Email mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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