RAT droppings and rotten food were among the findings of health inspectors who uncovered a catalogue of kitchen catastrophes during the most recent checks of premises across the city.
Reports obtained by the Echo have revealed Exeter's worst-rated establishments in food hygiene listings compiled by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) – and the reasons why.
The vast majority of food outlets in Exeter and East Devon are considered to have a good or very good standard of cleanliness.
Although most of the inspections occurred up to a year ago, all the ratings are still current.
But several fell well below the standards expected.
In some cases inspectors found:
Rodent droppings
Food unfit for human consumption
Out-of-date meals
They also found raw and cooked meat stored together; mouldy ice machines; restaurants without hot water; and chefs not washing their hands.
Two eateries have been given a zero-rating – meaning 'urgent improvement' is required – with one of the premises handed a Hygiene Improvement Notice after rat droppings were found inside a toilet.
Simon Lane, environmental health and licensing manager at Exeter City Council, said: "We operate to a national code of practice, and the frequency of our visits depend on the standard of hygiene.
"The vast majority of businesses are meeting the basic standards, but for those that are failing the inspection process should serve as a warning shot across the gall bladder."
In Exeter, the Thai Shanghai restaurant, at Cowley Bridge and the Twisted Oak pub at Ide are currently rated zero.
The Thai Shanghai was inspected in April 2013, when it was awarded zero stars and has not been re-inspected since.
Officers found rotting 'swedes' on a shelf in the store room; boiled rice and cooked chicken stored at room temperature; no supply of hot water; as well as rodent droppings in the kitchen, store room, wash room and toilet – including inside the cistern.
Business owner David Jim was served with a Hygiene Improvement Notice, due to the rat droppings being found in "several locations".
He was told to ensure within one month that "adequate procedures" were put in place to control pests – or risk having the establishment temporarily closed.
Mr Jim told the Echo: "When the railway line flooded, the rats went to the nearest dry land. Since then we've built a five-foot wall around the building to prevent rodents entering our premises again.
"We've done what can to improve standards, including getting a new boiler. Now things should be up-to-scratch.
"The inspectors will come in when they feel like it, and hopefully next time our rating will improve."
The Twisted Oak was inspected in June 2013, when it was awarded zero stars and has not been re-inspected since.
Officers found: "blood splatterings" from raw meat; bolognese six days past its use-by date; black mould inside an ice machine; and packets of raw meat stored next to cooked food.
There was no documented food safety management in place, and the chef – who had no food hygiene training in the UK – was seen carrying-out "numerous poor practices".
Owner Leo Wang said: "We took over the place in May 2013. Everything has now been sorted, and we're just waiting for the inspectors to come in."
More than 80 per cent of eateries across Exeter and East Devon were considered to have a good or very good standard of cleanliness.
But dozens of businesses were found to be failing to meet basic food hygiene standards – even though they were not deemed to pose an "imminent" threat to public health.
An East Devon District Council spokesman said: "Most businesses are generally operating at standards higher than the legal minimum.
"It has been very motivating for businesses to be recognised when their standards are above mere compliance."
Every restaurant, pub, café, and takeaway selling food is subject to unannounced inspections by environmental health officers. It is tested in three categories: food hygiene safety procedures, structural and cleaning requirements and the management of the premises.
The system – in partnership with the FSA – means those premises with top standards of food hygiene score a five, while those needing to make critical improvement are rated zero.
Councillor Keith Owen, lead city councillor for environment, health and wellbeing at Exeter City Council, said: "It's in everyone's interests to have the best possible food hygiene ratings, for the restaurants and food businesses and for the people eating out."
In the 'score-on-the-door' scheme, customers can get an instant indication online of hygiene levels and businesses are encouraged to display their rating. Catriona Stewart, head of the Food Hygiene Ratings at the FSA, said: "The scheme makes it clear which food outlets make the grade so that people can vote with their feet and choose these ones."
Of 916 places to eat in Exeter – 628 were rated five; 185 rated four; 63 rated three; 12 rated two; 24 rated one and two rated zero.
Of 1,254 premises in East Devon – 626 were rated five; 353 rated four; 125 rated three; 11 rated two; 24 rated one and none rated zero.
MAPS
Red: Zero rating or exempt
Purple: One
Yellow: Two
Green: Three
Brown: Four
Grey: Five
Exeter Map:
East Devon Map:Eateries given a one star rating in Exeter
Food businesses in Exeter with a one rating, meaning major improvement was necessary, and date of the last inspection:
Anna Marie's 98 Fore Street, Heavitree. @19 June 2013.
Bed and Breakfast, 1 Stuart Road. @19 August 2013.
Best Kebab, Bonhay Road. @03 October 2012.
Best Kebab, 132A Sidwell Street. @10 February 2014.
Brothers Butchers, 99 Sidwell Street. @24 March 2014.
Canton Fish Bar, 10 Well Street. @11 February 2013.
China Town Express. 129 Fore Street, St David's. @20 February 2013.
Continental Food Store, 119-120 Old Tiverton Road. @28 January 2014.
Costcutter, 354 Pinhoe Road. @29 January 2013.
Exwick Ark after school club, Redhills School, Landhayes Road. @18 June 2012.
Hot Teas Cafe, 43 The Quay. @23 July 2013.
Indo Grill, 352A Pinhoe Road. @14 March 2013.
Jonesy's, Private address. @8 January 2013.
Kong Fish Bar, 60 Cowick Street. @4 December 2013.
Moose International, 1 Spinning Path. @4 April 2013.
Perfect Pizza, 274 Pinhoe Road. @30 May 2013.
Rumblin Tums, Kestrel Way, Sowton Industrial Estate. @2 April 2014.
Seasons, 8 Well Street. @29 April 2013.
Ship and Pelican, 54 Fore Street. @28 November 2013.
Sidwell Fish and Chips, 59 Sidwell Street. @25 February 2014.
Tang Shian Chinese Restaurant, 77-78 South Street. @22 March 2013.
The Golden Horn Kebab/Pizza House. 166 Fore Street, St David's. @03 September 2013.
Topsham Town AFC, Exeter Road Topsham. @22 July 2013.
Yonk Asian Food Limited, Summerland Street. @12 February 2014Eateries given a one-star rating in East Devon
Food businesses in East Devon with a one rating, meaning major improvement was necessary, and the date of the last inspection:
Ashdale House, 6 Gordon Terrace, Dolphin Road, Beer Seaton. @28 March 2013.
Axminster Methodist Church, Lyme Road, Axminster. @27 February 2014.
Bank House Bed and Breakfast, Fore Street Beer Seaton. @4 April 2013.
Blue Coast Catering, Sidmouth Garden Centre Stowford Sidmouth. @16 January 2014.
CC Catering, Exmouth Fun Park Queens Drive Exmouth. @30 May 2012.
Country House Inn, 174 - 176 Withycombe Village Road Exmouth. @4 September 2013.
Delispresso, private address. @29 January 2013.
Dockside Cafe, 4 Shelly Court Pier Head Exmouth. @20 March 2013.
Frydays, 41 Pines Road Exmouth. @17 October 2013.
George Inn, Chardstock Axminster. @07 March 2014.
Goa Spice, 3 Tower Street Exmouth. 17 April 2013.
Honiton Garden Centre, Copper Beeches Tower Cross. @07 January 2013.
Le Pisani, West Street Axminster. @13 January 2014.
Master Fryer, 14 Rolle Street Exmouth. @28 August 2013.
Millers Farm Shop, Kilmington Axminster. @29 January 2014.
Moreys, 84 Exeter Road Exmouth. @25 February 2014.
Norwyn, Charmouth Road, Axminster. @04 January 2013.
Spice and Rice, private address. @20 March 2014.
The New Inn, The Hill Kilmington Axminster. @21 February 2014.
Upper Crust Bakery, 4 Woolbrook Road Sidmouth. @13 January 2014.
Volunteer Inn, 52 Temple Street Sidmouth. @12 November 2013.
Volunteer Inn (correct) , 177 High Street Honiton. @21 November 2012.
West End Beach Kiosk, Fishermans Beach Rolle Road Budleigh Salterton. @2 August 2012.
White Hart Inn, Church Stile Lane Woodbury Exeter. @23 August 2013.
