Two Cambridge Food Premises Closed After Cockroach Infestations

Two food businesses have been closed by Cambridge City Council to protect public health after cockroach infestations were found.

Environmental Health officers made an unannounced visit on 5 January to Hi Sweety! at 71a, Regent Street, following a customer complaint.

Officers inspected the premises and found a cockroach infestation in the food preparation area. They required the business to close immediately.
 
As a precautionary measure officers visited the food business next door, City Kebab, on 6 January and found evidence of a cockroach infestation there too. City Kebab was also required to close immediately while the infestation was treated. The business reopened on 10 January.
 
Hi Sweety! reopened yesterday (17 January) after eradicating its infestation.
 
Cockroaches can cause illness through contamination of food meaning they pose an imminent risk of health to the public. Officers use emergency hygiene prohibition powers to enforce an immediate closure.
 
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre, said: “We expect health and hygiene to be at the top of the list of priorities for each of the city’s food businesses but sadly there are occasions when businesses fall short of the standards we expect.
 
“We know that Covid-19 has had an impact on businesses but it is not the only public health issue that business need to consider and standards should not be allowed to drop.
 
“All food businesses should ensure that they have high food hygiene standards and follow food safety regulations to ensure the safety of the public.”
 
Cllr Moore added: “We want to work with businesses to maintain high standards and we offer a mentoring service to support them as well as advice and visits from officers.
 
“Cambridge has many excellent food businesses that work hard to meet the required standard on hygiene and our officers will not hesitate to act quickly if, as in these cases, they believe that public health is at risk.”
 
Magistrates’ courts in Cambridge and Peterborough confirmed the council’s closures by granting Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Orders.