Fried chicken fans could still order food from a filthy takeaway through Just Eat, despite shop owners being fined tens of thousands of pounds for food hygiene offences.

Mama's Kitchen, in Northolt Road, Harrow, was found to be filthy and infested with vermin, during a surprise inspection, when even its food safety guide was found covered in dirt on the floor.

The takeaway, which offers fried chicken, kebabs and burgers, was found with rotting cucumbers and tomatoes covered in mouse droppings.

The filthy takeaway on Northolt Road was busted during a surprise inspection

Owner Kalpana Ashokumar, 37, of Claredon Court, Harrow, claimed she was too busy looking after her children to know her shop was riddled with mice, even though she was pulled up on hygiene issues back in 2012 by Harrow Council.

Despite the stomach-churning revelations, hungry takeaway orderers could still access - and purchase - food from one-star hygiene rated Mama's Kitchen through trusted website JustEat.

Just Eat boasts itself as "the country’s leading online takeaway ordering service" with "over 14.2 million customers worldwide".

One concerned mum was about to place an order through Just Eat when she was warned about the hygiene issues.

Sarah Owen, from Pinner, told getwestlondon: "If Mama's Kitchen in Harrow has been shut down how are they still taking orders from Just Eat? Was just about to place an order with them when my daughter showed me your story.

"Where are they cooking the food from then?"

Yuck! Mouse poo was found ON food

Mama's Kitchen was not ordered to close immediately, but the owner, Ashokumar, was banned from running a food business ever again and the fried chicken shop could face closure unless there is a "management change and significant improvements", according to Harrow Council.

After getwestlondon raised the issue with the online takeaway service, Mama's Kitchen was unavailable on Just Eat.

Customers could still order Mama's Kitchen through Just Eat until May 10

A spokesperson for Just Eat said: "We take food standards and hygiene ratings very seriously, as we want to ensure the best takeaway experience for our customers.

"Since learning of the concerns surrounding this restaurant partner, we have investigated and have temporarily removed the restaurant from our platform pending the outcome of the ruling by the relevant authorities.

“We actively engage with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is the independent government body formed to protect the public’s health in relation to food hygiene and safety.

"We also work closely with the relevant local authorities and our restaurant partners to help drive up standards across the industry.

"Each restaurant on our platform is linked to the FSA hygiene ratings page, so users can easily review the restaurant’s rating. This is reinforced by consumer reviews, which provide other customers with transparent, up to date information about the restaurants and help them make informed choices."

Getwestlondon has reached out to Mama's Kitchen for comment.

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