A Welwyn restaurant that was shut due to evidence of a possible cockroach infestation is welcoming diners again with a clean certificate.
Vita Ristorante, an Italian eatery in Welwyn, was given clean bill of health by Welwyn Hatfield Council yesterday stating that the health risk that shut its doors last week no longer exists.
On Friday March 16 the restaurant was served an Emergency Prohibition Notice by the council’s Public Health and Protection team, and was closed.
It stated: “There is evidence to suggest the Italian food business has an uncontrolled cockroach infestation, no implementation of a food safety management system, very poor structural condition and is not maintained in a clean condition.”
The restaurant is currently under investigation by the council, but a certificate issued by the Food Safety and Hygiene Authority yesterday said it is satisfied that the restaurant has “taken sufficient measures” to ensure there is no longer a health risk to diners.
The restaurant’s chef, Matheus Gomes, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “The inspectors pointed out some things and we’re happy to comply.”
He said that the initial visit found traces that “might have been” a cockroach infestation, but the council’s own traps that were put there since the closure found no evidence of this.
One of the issues raised by the council, he said, was an outdoor storage shed and decking at the back of the restaurant that has now been removed.
He claimed the storage was in place in 2016 when the restaurant got a 4 out of 5 Food Standards Agency rating.
“We’ve got pest control in place and we work closely with the council,” he said.
“They had no choice - of course, they want to be proactive.”
“Basically, all the things they’ve asked us to do, we’ve done.”
He says that although the council didn’t require it, both kitchen and floor staff have also been re-trained to have Level 2 Health and Hygiene certificates.
A Facebook post on Vita Restaurant’s Facebook page displays a copy of the certificate and says:
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank our loyal customers for their continued support as part of the Welwyn community.”
A council spokesperson said: “A routine inspection by council officers identified food hygiene concerns, resulting in the serving of an Emergency Prohibition Notice.
“This is a legal notice used where there is an imminent risk to health, and we only serve these notices when absolutely necessary.
“Since the notice was served, the council has revisited the business and is now satisfied that sufficient improvements have been made.
“We are continuing to work with Vita Ristorante to ensure these conditions are maintained.”
Matheus set up Vita five years ago as part of a family business with his sister Adriana Panigas.
He said: “I’ve been cooking for 25 years.
“I love our customers, and the last thing I want to do is hurt them.”
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