A Birmingham city centre branch of Tortilla has failed a hygiene inspection after mouse droppings were discovered on the premises. The Grand Central location, which serves burritos, quesadillas and nachos, was the only one of the chain's more than 50 UK sites to fail hygiene standards at the time of the report on April 28.
Inspection Findings
Inspectors from the Food Standards Agency visited the restaurant on March 2 and found mouse droppings in seven different areas, including on work surfaces, near wrapped food containers, and close to bottles of vinegar. Despite daily pest checks, the infestation was not detected earlier.
The restaurant received a score of two out of five, indicating that improvement is necessary. The inspectors recommended multiple pest checks throughout the day and arranged for a pest control visit. The restaurant was also urged to retrain its staff following the discovery.
Company Response
A Tortilla Mexican Grill spokesperson expressed frustration over the incident, stating: "This has been very frustrating for us as a business, as we place a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards and consistently achieving five-star ratings across our restaurants."
The company added that immediate measures have been implemented, including strengthened procedures, enhanced team training, and ongoing monitoring to address the issues and prevent future occurrences.
