When the local food inspectorate inspected McDonald’s in the London suburb of Leytonstone, England, they were greeted by a shocking sight.
The inspectors discovered an active mouse attack, and were forced to close the usually busy fast food restaurant during the day.
McDonald’s employee reveals: – Rude
It emerges from one press release issued by the Waltham Forest City Council, which made the final decision to close the restaurant.
MCDONALD’S: McDonald’s Leytonstone fast food restaurant is located in a suburb of London, UK. Photo: Waltham Forest County
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– It is believed that this is the first case of its kind against the fast food chain in more than 20 years, where local authorities stop operations, they write.
Sent customers to the door
The inspection took place on Friday 15 October, and was completed just before lunchtime.
– Never go to McDonald’s again
However, when the Norwegian Food Safety Authority had reviewed the hygienic conditions at the restaurant, customers were instead asked to leave the premises.
– The inspection came as a result of a complaint from a customer who indicated that there was rodent activity in the restaurant, that they had found mouse droppings in the kitchen and a dead mouse in a cupboard, the city council writes.
MUSEUM: On the floor, the inspectorate found both mouse droppings and leftover food. Photo: Waltham Forest County
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And quite rightly, when the Norwegian Food Safety Authority came to visit, they found both the dead mouse and large amounts of mouse droppings scattered around on the dirty floor.
It was concluded that the conditions posed an imminent danger to public health, and the restaurant was closed indefinitely.
Closed until further notice
On Thursday 21 October, the Magistrate’s Court in the Thames decided to issue an emergency ban – which means that the restaurant cannot reopen until the errors have been rectified and no longer pose a risk to customers.
DEAD MOUSE: Inside a cupboard was found a dead mouse, as well as even more mouse droppings. Photo: Waltham Forest County
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McDonald’s does not dispute the decision, and has also decided to pay the costs associated with the closure, which amounts to just over 20,000 kroner.
Clyde Loakes, who is deputy chair of the Waltham Forest City Council, says they will not hesitate to act when companies do not meet the requirements.
MORE MUSEUM: Even on the mop, the audit found mouse droppings. Photo: Waltham Forest County
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– We take all complaints about food hygiene seriously, regardless of how small or large the restaurant is. Customers should be able to eat safely, and we will not hesitate to shop when the companies do not meet the requirements, says Loakes.
Shock findings: – My God!
– We know that McDonald’s has a reputation for being clean, which is also why these cases are rare. I understand that this is the first time in more than two decades that a local inspection has closed one of their restaurants, he says, and continues:
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– Mice can carry a number of diseases that can infect humans and really cause harm. I am glad that the company has acknowledged its mistakes in this incident, and that they cooperate with the city council’s food inspection.
– Took hold immediately
According to the British local and tabloid newspaper London Evening Standard a spokesman for McDonald’s has said that cleanliness and hygiene are of utmost importance to the restaurant chain.
TRACKED IN MUSEUM: On the floor under the appliances, it was close together with mouse droppings. Photo: Waltham Forest County
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– As soon as we were made aware of the problem, we started working with our partner in pest control to take action immediately. This includes cleaning the restaurant thoroughly, and implementing structural changes to ensure that any hygiene problem is solved for good, the spokesperson says.
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