Corner Cafe Closed After Environmental Health Officers Discover Live Mouse and Out-of-Date Food
The Liverpool Echo reported that environmental health inspectors discovered a live rodent near a cooking appliance in the kitchen of a Liverpool eatery that kept ingredients past their expiration date by seven days. Corner Café, located on Prescot Road in Fairfield, was immediately closed after officers determined it posed an imminent risk to health.
Twelve Food Safety Breaches Discovered During Two Inspections
Liverpool Council’s Environmental Health Officers found multiple issues over two separate visits last year. During the period when these violations occurred, patrons could dine inside the establishment or purchase food to go.
When officers visited the café last June, they discovered the premises was infested with mice. Excrement left by rodents was scattered across the establishment, resting upon and underneath culinary machinery, as well as touching food directly. A live mouse was also seen in a hole behind a cooker in the kitchen.
Inspectors observed that the establishment failed to implement adequate measures to control the rodent problem, even while continuing to serve customers. The condition of the premises was so unhygienic it was immediately closed by officers.
Such rodents can transmit various illnesses to people, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Hantavirus. These can cause serious illness, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Follow-Up Inspection Reveals Continued Hygiene Failures
Following the initial inspection, the café was awarded the lowest possible food hygiene rating of zero with urgent improvement necessary. Officers returned in November last year for a second inspection and found more droppings.
Grease had accumulated within the premises, and food debris was discovered behind equipment. Food almost a week out of date was also discovered within the kitchen, and the business was found to be extremely unclean.
Although pest activity remained evident during the November visit, officers did not identify an imminent risk to health, and the premises were not subject to closure. During this subsequent assessment, the eatery received a hygiene score of one out of five, indicating that substantial changes were required.
Corner Café Limited Faces Court Fine for Hygiene Breaches
The company running the facility, The Corner Café Limited, admitted to violating food safety and cleanliness laws during a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court in September of the current year, receiving their sentence last week. The establishment was penalized with a £2,700 court bill and currently maintains a hygiene grade of one out of five.
Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, spoke about the enforcement action taken against the establishment.
“Food businesses have a legal responsibility to maintain proper hygiene standards and protect their customers from harm. The conditions our officers found at Corner Café on repeated visits fell far below what residents should expect when eating out.”
He added that the presence of mice and poor practices presented an unacceptable risk to public health.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where businesses fail to meet their obligations. Food hygiene ratings are there to help people make informed choices, and I would encourage residents to check them before deciding where to eat.”