A spate of vermin infestations in Dunedin food outlets, including the discovery of a carcass, and droppings on food, is "all avoidable", the Dunedin City Council says.
Evidence of vermin has been discovered in food storage and preparation areas, in what a pest control company owner said was a busy winter for the industry.
The infestations are among reasons given recently for food outlets being given a D grade by council environmental health officers, and usually closed until problems were fixed.
A 2004 review identified 30 to 40 premises as an ongoing risk to diners, and a strategy was introduced with a grading system of A to D grade, with gradings displayed in the outlet.
Premises given a D grade could be closed, and their names published in the Food Watch section of the Otago Daily Times.
Senior environmental health officer Wayne Boss said the recent spate of vermin was not out of the ordinary, but a combination of poor maintenance and cleaning by business operators.
When they inspected premises, officers were finding poorly maintained buildings with access points for vermin through holes and gaps in walls that operators were "doing nothing about".
"Inadequate cleaning and inspection regimes are causing the vermin infestations.
"That just keeps repeating itself across the businesses that we are closing.
"It's all avoidable, really."
It was also a health risk, which was why the council was taking action.
Mr Boss said his message for businesses was to check the maintenance of their premises, keep on top of cleaning and visually examine all areas.
"I can't emphasise enough the value for food businesses of correct pest control and preventive action."
Pests like rats and mice were "ubiquitous", something the council accepted, but owners needed to know they were not acceptable inside food premises.
"It's in their hands," he said.
Dunedin pest control company Pest-Gone owner Pam Powell, whose company has been in the business for 30 years, said this winter had been "fairly heavy" in terms of vermin.
Rats and mice often accessed buildings through holes left by builders and plumbers.
"They come in looking for warmth and food," she said, and could squeeze through very small holes.
"In older buildings, they are always there."
Vermin problems
Food outlets found by the Dunedin City Council to have vermin problems in the past two months.
All but the K-World Karaoke Bar were required to close while issues were dealt with.
All have since reopened.
> Tokyo Gardens, 351 George St.
> Blue Sky, 509 George St.
> The Captain Cook Tavern, 354 Great King St.
> Gloria's Bakery, 203 Main South Rd, Green Island.
> Shiel Hill Food Centre, 122 Highcliff Rd.
> K-World Karaoke Bar, 142 Princes St.
