Calgary restaurant closed by AHS due to ‘significant’ mouse infestation

A northwest Calgary sushi restaurant has been forced to close by Alberta Health Services (AHS) after officials uncovered a “significant mouse infestation” and a myriad of other health and food safety violations.

An order issued Friday says the Sushi BBQ Inn at 1222 16 Avenue NW has been ordered to close until further notice, due to conditions which “may become injurious or dangerous to the public health or which might hinder in any manner the prevention or suppression of disease.”

Particularly, AHS says there is a “significant” infestation of mice, with “over 20 dead and live mice observed in tin cat traps throughout the facility.”

An “abundance” of mouse droppings were also found in the front line coolers, in and around the bar area, inside cupboards, oil containers and freezers, as well as under the ice machine and floors throughout the restaurant, according to the health authority.

The establishment also had conditions which allowed for the entry of pests into the facility, AHS says, including holes in the walls, gaps in floor joints and along the bottom of doors. Clutter also contributed to the harbouring of pests, they add.

Drain flies were also observed in the bar area by the inspector.

Apart from the mouse problem, AHS says the restaurant was not compliant with several health and food safety policies; there was a “significant accumulation of grease, soil and/or food debris” on areas throughout the kitchen, including floors, food equipment, under grills, dishwashing surfaces, the ice machine, and the staff washroom.

Open containers of food were also stacked on top of inserts of food in the food preparation cooler, according to AHS, and high-risk foods like imitation crab and calamari were being stored at the incorrect temperature.

The report also says “a frozen whole fish was stored on dirty cardboard on [a] food preparation table across from the walk-in cooler.”

Several rules as far as cleaning and sanitation were also not being adhered to, the report says.

It also says staff “exhibited a lack of basic food safety knowledge.”

The health authority has provided a list of matters that must be dealt with by the owner and approved by AHS before the restaurant will be allowed to open.

This list includes hiring a professional pest company to deal with the mice infestation, re-evaluating the storage of food, cleaning the entire building, and more.