Dead mouse, droppings and mould found at takeaway and restaurant

A takeaway and a restaurant caused an "imminent risk to public health" and had to be shut down after a dead mouse, droppings and uncovered raw meat were found by food inspectors.

Rasathi Sri Lankan Takeaway and Chennai Dosa in Canton, Cardiff, both owned by JS Local Ltd, committed "serious failings" in food safety management, Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard.

The business and its operator and director Jerurasa Senjoansrajah were fined £22,549 at a hearing on Monday over the inspections in September and December 2024.

Cardiff councillor Norma Mackie said: "Basic requirements - such as effective pest control, thorough cleaning, and robust food safety management - were not in place."

JS Local Ltd voluntarily closed both businesses because of public health risks identified by Cardiff Council's environmental health officers.

On 4 September 2024, inspectors asked Rasathi Sri Lankan for basic food safety paperwork such as pest control records, allergy documentation, and staff training certificates - but the operator failed to provide any information.

By 4 December, it had been converted into a food storage facility for Indian restaurant Chennai Dosa, where inspectors discovered mouse droppings in food preparation areas, dirty equipment, unrefrigerated food and poor levels of cleanliness.

Containers of raw meat and tubs of uncovered food were found on a shelf in the walk-in refrigerator, while the body of a dead mouse was found on the kitchen floor.

A closure notice for the site was revoked on 6 December after deep cleaning and pest proofing were carried out but the poor food storage and pest activity continued which led to enforcement action.

Rasathi Sri Lankan Takeaway had two directors, husband and wife Jerurasa and Saromina Senjoansrajah. The former was also director of Chennai Dosa.

After the action, Mrs Senjoansrajah quit as a director, leaving her husband as the sole food business operator for both premises.

Mr Senjoansrajah was fined £3,072, ordered to pay £1,084 in costs and a £1,229 victim surcharge. JS Local Ltd was fined £16,080 and ordered to pay £1,084 in costs.

Mackie, the council's cabinet member responsible for shared regulatory services, said the conditions at both sites "posed a clear and immediate risk to the public".

"Businesses handling high risk foods, including rice, chicken, mutton, fish and eggs, must have effective pest control, robust cleaning and disinfection schedules, and a documented food safety management system. Failure to meet these standards endangers customers and will lead to enforcement action."