Disgusting food hygiene caused Ealing council to temporarily close five businesses last month.
An inspection took place at 2 in 1 Pizza in Lady Margaret Road, Southall, after a customer complained of a cockroach in their food.
Officers discovered a serious mouse and German cockroach infestation, including a nest of mice running around inside a box used to store takeaway food containers, and rodent faeces inside pizza boxes.
A video showing the nesting mice at 2 for 1 Pizza can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/ealingcouncil .
The business was ordered to close immediately until extensive cleaning and pest control measures had been put in place 10 days later.
Vegetarian restaurant Delhi Wala in King Street, Southall, closed for five days after officers found mouse droppings and dead cockroaches in the kitchen and serving areas and rat droppings in the storage area.
When the council visited Al Rafidain, a butchers and grocers in Churchfield Road, Acton, it had a serious mouse infestation and was dirty throughout.
A live mouse was found amongst bags of rice on sale and packets of food sitting on the shops shelves had been chewed by rodents.
Once again, the business was closed and only reopened when the public health risk had been removed.
Problems at Rays restaurant in The Green, Southall, included a lack of adequate hand washing facilities, filthy water used to wash dishes, plates wiped with visibly dirty cloths, dead cockroaches and evidence of rodent activity.
Inspectors also noticed a smell of gas and National Grid confirmed a leak and disconnected the supply.
Rays was allowed to reopen after two weeks.
At Palm Palace in South Road, Southall, mouse droppings were found on food preparation surfaces and the business was generally dirty.
The restaurant had to close down for three days until improvements were made.
Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: “The state of these businesses was truly disgusting, as well as unsafe.
“We will always take what legal action we can to force dirty businesses to stop taking unacceptable risks with the public’s health, but I would also urge local residents to check food hygiene ratings before they buy any fresh or packaged food from a business.”
Anyone concerned that a business is breaching food hygiene regulations should email foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 6666.
