Huddersfield closed due to ‘imminent risk to public health’ now allowed to reopen

A Huddersfield takeaway is under investigation after an inspector reported finding mouse droppings near food.

An environmental health inspector from Kirklees Council issued an emergency hygiene prohibition notice to close Kashmir Spice in Fartown, Huddersfield, following a food hygiene inspection on March 26 this year. The inspection resulted in a zero rating for the location, the lowest rating available.

The inspector took steps to close the Bradford Road business after they found evidence of a mouse infestation throughout the building, according to council documents. On April 2, an emergency hygiene restraining order was signed in court that agreed with the inspector’s decision to close the business.

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Details of the action taken by the local authority are contained in a letter dated April 18 from Kirklees Council to Kashmir Spice at 226 Bradford Road, which was published following a Freedom of Information Act request.

The letter states: “During my food hygiene inspection on March 26, 2024, I found evidence of a mouse infestation throughout the building. Mouse droppings were found in the food preparation area near the food. I decided there was an imminent risk. to public health and issued an emergency hygiene ban notice.

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“Subsequently, on 2 April 2024, the Magistrates’ Court signed an emergency hygiene injunction, agreeing that the action we took to close the business at the time was correct.”

During the inspection, mouse droppings were seen around the perimeter of the kitchen and on the food prep bench next to packages of cooked food, the letter states. A number of holes were found that could allow pests to enter the premises, including near a refrigerator, under a sink and in a door frame, according to the inspector.

The inspector reviewed the premises on April 2 and noted that work had been completed to prevent pests from entering the premises and no mouse droppings were found. This led to the issuance of a “health risk no longer exists” certificate and allowed the business to reopen.

The company received a zero rating for food hygiene, meaning “major improvements” were needed. The business was also told not to store food on the floor after the inspector noted onions on the kitchen floor. The letter added: “This is not appropriate as food can become contaminated. Storing food on the floor also makes cleaning difficult and makes it difficult to check for pests.”

The business was also told not to use scented anti-bacterial spray as it can “stain the food”. An odorless disinfectant was recommended.

A spokesman for Kirklees Council confirmed there was an “ongoing investigation” and was therefore unable to comment.

A Kashmir Spice spokesperson said Yorkshire Live that he was confident the business would soon achieve an improved food hygiene rating. He confirmed the business was closed for “two or three” days over a bank holiday weekend after the inspection. He suggested that the evidence regarding “mouse droppings” was not “conclusive”. Asked if the food was safe, he said: “Yes, 100 per cent.