(Image: Mike Simmonds)
A halal food store was forced to close after inspectors found a “significant” rodent infestation.
Ahmeds Food Store & Halal Meat, located on Drewry Road in Keighley, was given a zero food hygiene rating following an inspection by an environmental health team on August 4.
The inspection uncovered a significant active rodent infestation throughout the premises, with evidence of rodents in the basement storage area, butchery, and retail shop.
'Three dead mice' and 'rodent droppings' discovered
Inspectors said: "I observed a large number of rodent droppings in the basement storage area, butchery area and main retail shop.
"Three dead mice were also observed on two sticky pads located underneath shelving within the basement area."
Inspectors reported that food products had been gnawed by rodents, including rice that had been removed from packaging and partially eaten.
They said: "Food products were observed that had been gnawed and gnawed to the extent that food such as rice had been removed from packaging and been gnawed.
"This has posed a significant risk of contamination of food.
"You must dispose of all gnawed and contaminated food; this includes all food that could have been possibly contaminated by rodent faeces and urine."
'Flies landing on fresh meat being prepared'
A large number of flies were also found inside the premises, particularly in the butchery area.
Inspectors said: "I observed flies landing on fresh meat being prepared, bags of meat, food preparation surfaces and food preparation equipment such as the bandsaw and knifes.
"You must implement procedures implemented to ensure food is protected from any risk of contamination posed by flies."
Raw meat stored next to peppers and mouldy potatoes
Concerns were also raised about food storage practices.
Ready-to-eat foods, including boxes of mangoes, were being stored in the butchery area, and peppers were found near raw meat in a walk-in refrigerator.
Inspectors said: "I observed that you were storing ready to eat foods such as boxes of mangoes within your butchery area.
"I also observed peppers within your walk-in refrigerator in very close proximity to raw meat carcases."
Mouldy potatoes were discovered next to the meat mincer, with small flies present in the area.
The report said: "I observed some potatoes stored in a box next to the raw meat mincer in the butchery area that were mouldy.
"When I moved the box of potatoes, I observed that there were many small flies on the potatoes and around this area."
Raw meat stored in an unlidded bin
The report listed multiple structural and cleanliness issues, including rodent droppings throughout the building, no hot water at a toilet washbasin, a leaking refrigeration unit, damaged flooring in the basement, and raw meat waste being stored in an unlidded bin next to an open external door.
This was attracting flies.
The inspector said: "Raw meat waste was being deposited into an unlidded bin located next to an open external door which was attracting many flies."
Poultry blow-torched on site
A bandsaw was found in use without its guard fitted, which inspectors described as a “significant health and safety risk.”
An LPG gas canister was found in the butchery area.
Staff also told inspectors that poultry was occasionally being blow-torched on site.
The report stated: "You must cease the practice of blow torching poultry.
"You must remove the LPG gas canister from the premises."
Business agreed to close voluntarily
Due to the severity of the findings, the business agreed to close voluntarily while the issues are addressed.
The report confirmed: "The business signed a voluntary agreement to voluntary close the premises."
Inspectors warned that legal action may be considered in relation to the breaches.
The Telegraph & Argus contacted the shop for comment, but had not received a response by the deadline.