17th Avenue restaurant closed due to 'significant' rat infestation, dozens of other violations: AHS.
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Mouse droppings were seen in the kitchen, bar, above the oven, in dish storage containers and on a food preparation surface, among other places.
Spice Paradise South Indian restaurant ordered to close
Spice Paradise South Indian restaurant is seen on 17th Avenue S.E in Calgary on Thursday, January 30, 2025. It has been ordered to close for a series of health violations.
A restaurant in Calgary's Beltline neighborhood has been ordered to close after Alberta Health Services inspectors found dozens of violations, including a rat infestation. The Spice Paradise South Indian restaurant, located at 202 17th Avenue SE, was closed Tuesday by health officials after an inspection found 36 conditions "that are or could become harmful or hazardous to public health."
Among those conditions was what AHS called a "significant" rat infestation, evidenced by "an abundance of rat droppings" observed throughout the facility.
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Rat tracks were spotted in the kitchen, bar, above the oven, in dish storage containers and on a food preparation surface in the basement of the establishment, as well as in several other locations listed in a closure notice.
"Five dead rats were observed throughout the facility. One rat was spotted on the basement floor and not in a trap. "The other four were observed on sticky traps throughout the facility," AHS said, noting that pest control data was not available at the time of the inspection.
Spice Paradise South Indian Restaurant did not immediately respond to Postmedia's request for comment. However, a Postmedia photographer on site Thursday noted that the restaurant was closed.
Spice Paradise South Indian Restaurant Ordered to Close
Spice Paradise Indian Restaurant is pictured on 17th Avenue S.E. in Calgary on Thursday, January 30, 2025. The building was closed for a series of health violations.
Other issues observed included moldy nuggets in a refrigerator in the room, "very dirty" cleaning cloths observed on food preparation surfaces, and a lack of hand soap or paper towels in the kitchen or bar sink.
Mold was also noted on the ceiling of the cold room, the public health authority said.
"Food equipment and utensils throughout the facility were dirty and had an accumulation of food debris, dirt, grease and grime," AHS said. Among the locations listed were food contact surfaces, the microwave, all equipment along the cooking line, the meat slicer, the food storage container, and several others. The order says cleaning schedules, temperature records and monthly pest control lists were posted throughout the facility, but they were blank and "incomplete."
The Spice Paradise South Indian restaurant will have to comply with more than two dozen work orders in place before AHS will allow the establishment to reopen.
A verbal notice of closure was sent to the owners on Tuesday, followed by a written order on Wednesday.
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