A dead rat under the sink and rodent poo on a box of tomatoes: The disgusting state of a Nando’s kitchen is revealed

A rat infestation and rodent droppings have led to a Nando’s restaurant in Perth being hit with one of the biggest food safety fines in Western Australia in years.

The Willetton branch of the Portuguese chicken brand was fined $160,000 for ten violations of the Food Act, which were discovered during a routine inspection in September 2023.

The violations include failing to take all practical steps to prevent the entry of pests and to eradicate them Western Australian reported.

Among the images captured by an inspector are photos of a dead rat under a sink, rat feces on a box of tomatoes and on the floor, a dirty floor, moldy surfaces and grease on a wall.

“A rodent infestation was identified on the property, which was considered a very serious public health risk,” Canning City Council Mayor Patrick Hall said.

The breaches at Willetton Nando’s store (pictured) include failing to take all practical steps to prevent pests from entering and to eradicate them

A rat infestation has led to a Nando’s restaurant in Perth receiving one of the biggest food safety fines in Western Australia in years. There is a dead rat pictured under a sink in the kitchen

The Portuguese chicken brand’s Willetton branch was fined $160,000 for 10 Food Act violations discovered during a routine inspection in September 2023

Mr Hall said there was also evidence of rodents and rat droppings found throughout the food preparation and storage areas.

Nando’s was ordered to immediately close the restaurant and resolve the food safety issues.

“The company responded by closing, correcting cleanliness, maintenance, rodent infestation and related food safety issues and then reopening,” Mr Hall said.

“The severity of the food safety risks was such that legal action was justified and in the public interest,” he said.

The Willetton branch was also convicted of selling expired food, failing to prevent the accumulation of food waste, dirt and grease, failing to prevent food contamination, failing to maintain equipment to a clean standard, failing ensure that equipment was clean and in a good state of repair and that there are no easily accessible hand washing facilities available.

The restaurant was inspected again by officials who issued a certificate allowing it to reopen.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted both the Willetton branch of Nando’s and the company’s Australian headquarters for comment.

The local mayor said there was evidence of rodents and rat feces in the food preparation and storage areas

The Willetton branch was also condemned for failing to avoid the build-up of food waste, dirt and grease (pictured)