From the outside, many look spotless. But behind the counter it can be a different story altogether. Julie Jacobson digs up the dirt on the dozens of restaurants and food outlets failing to meet basic food hygiene standards.
Examples of a dangerous lack of proper hygiene at a business closed by Auckland City Council inspectors

Examples of a dangerous lack of proper hygiene at a business closed by Auckland City Council inspectors

The owners of dozens of dirty and unlicensed food outlets are facing prosecution after a crackdown by public health officials in Auckland.

Of the 70 outlets netted in a recent clampdown one was so badly infested with cockroaches that inspectors described it as "revolting", while 68 were operating without licences.

And in an undercover sting by TV3 consumer programme Target, a city kebab store was caught selling food contaminated with faecal coliforms.

A Herald on Sunday survey of council rankings found at least 60 outlets in the wider Auckland region had the lowest, E-grade hygiene certificates.

The most common reasons for an E grade? Filthy premises or bug or rodent infestation.

Auckland City environmental health team leader Carole Simpson said the clampdown was a wake-up call for the owners.

Ditching good hygiene practices was often seen as the easiest way to make ends meet in a highly competitive market, but did nothing for consumer confidence, she said.

None of the staff at the outlet where cockroaches were found had any hygiene training. The outlet was a major health risk, she said.

"It was in quite a state. It was revolting."

She said outlets with an E grade were usually closed down and forced to clean up their act before being allowed to re-open. Once they did re-open they retained their E grade for a year "because basically we have no confidence in them".

The unlicensed premises found during the crackdown included takeaway bars, cafes and restaurants.

To comply with food regulations, outlets must register with local authorities and display a hygiene grading certificate in a prominent place. Unregistered premises cannot be forced to close down, but can be prosecuted under council bylaws for trading illegally.

A licensing blitz on the North Shore earlier this month also unearthed some dodgy practices.

Inspectors there found several lower-graded outlets either not displaying certificates or displaying expired, higher-grade certificates. In one case a certificate was displayed but the grading had been deliberately covered up.

While the offenders had since been "named and shamed" in a local paper, it was likely several prosecutions would follow, said council environmental health team leader Duffy Visser.