03/12/2010 - Takeaway closed after mice found
A Chinese takeaway in Essex has been ordered to shut down by health officials after two live mice were found in a box of noodles.
Dragon Palace Chinese Takeaway on London Road in Westcliff, Southend, was closed by environmental health inspectors after they discovered the rodents in a gnawed box of dried noodles in a store room.
A spokesman for Southend Council revealed the officials also found mouse droppings "throughout the premises" and two dead mice on the floor.
It also emerged that staff were not washing their hands and anti-bacterial cleaning liquids were not being used for cleaning, despite being present .
The council's lead food officer Steve Ramm said: "Mice not only pass on harmful bacteria when gnawing food but they also urinate very regularly so work surfaces and the hands of staff also become contaminated.
"Bacteria therefore will pass from the insides of mice to the insides of humans which clearly is an unacceptable risk to public health."
Southend Council has yet to decide whether to instigate criminal proceedings over the inspection findings.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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