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Cockroach infestations, filthy food surfaces and poor food storage - some of the reasons why a handful of Auckland food shops were forced to close until problems were rectified.
In the most recent list of D and E grade food outlets from Auckland Council, food inspectors identified seven eateries in the last two months with lower than usual hygiene standards, ranging from problems with pests to process control.
Five of the shops were located in south Auckland, with two in east Auckland.
According to Auckland Council, a food grade certificate gives customers assurance that food they buy is safe and suitable to eat.
It also shows how well a food outlet has met its quality and hygiene requirements under the Food Act.
An A, B or C grade means a food outlet provides a level of confidence that the food it sells is safe.
D and E grades require enforcement by food inspectors, meaning a wide range of issues have been identified that need to be rectified.
E ratings are given for critical risks, such as an out-of-control pest infestation or an absolutely filthy kitchen.
Previously, businesses with an E grade had to carry the undesirable rating for at least 90 days, but this requirement was changed in 2019.
Since then, businesses graded E must close until all problems have been rectified, then a D grade is issued.
Of the seven shops in the latest report, three businesses were forced to close and issued with an E grade.
Two shops, located next to each other on Mason Ave in Ōtāhuhu, had a cockroach infestation, dirty and unhygienic premises and had poor food storage when inspectors visited on 10 October.
Sriracha and Rotis Indian Halal also had deficient records, labelling, maintenance and food safety training, and staff weren't following prescribed procedures and implementing a proper food control plan.
Sriracha was set to be reinspected next Friday, after being allowed to remain open while repairs were undertaken, according to staff.
The staff member said they expected the shop to get their previous good rating back.
On its Facebook page, Rotis Indian Halal was listed as temporarily closed and calls were left unanswered.
Tarka Indian Eatery Botany, on Te Irirangi Drive in Clover Park, had a cockroach infestation and dirty and unhygienic premises on 15 September.
A store manager denied they had a cockroach infestation.
"It was a baby cockroach, we have pest control in the restaurant," he said.
Auckland Council licensing and environmental health acting manager Veronica Lee-Thompson said the three shops were forced to close and issued with an E grade.
They were only permitted to reopen when all critical risks were satisfactorily addressed, then issued with a D grade, "but would then have been graded as a D where other non-critical issues remained to be addressed".
D grade shops were Pork & Poultry Pakuranga, Homai Bakery on Gloucester Rd in Manurewa, Wholebody Meats on Ashley Ave, Māngere East and Madinah Halal Meats at Lambie Drive.
Lee-Thompson said businesses may find themselves with critical non-compliances for a multitude of reasons, and this was outside of council's influence and control.
"The council's stand is to ensure food safety, by working with businesses to immediately remove all critical food safety risks - which, in most cases, requires the business to immediately cease trading.
"The council will then work with the business to enable the business to reopen once all critical food safety risks are addressed and ensure that any other non-compliances are also addressed and that the business is able to maintain compliance going forward."
She said fines were not available for these types of breaches, but council recovered costs with reinspection revisit to monitor or confirm compliance.
The average compliance cost for an E grade reinspection was $855, while it ranged from $628 to $737 for a D grade.
* This story originally appeared on Stuff.