STUDIO CITY—A Thai restaurant located in Studio City temporarily closed its doors on January 21, due to a cockroach infestation.
During the inspection, officials discovered a cockroach infestation at Spice Season located on the 11400 block of Ventura Boulevard. The restaurant was in violation of California Safety Code 114259.1 which states that “the premises of each food facility shall be kept free of vermin.”
The restaurant re-opened on January 23 after owners cleaned up the problem. If a restaurant receives a serious health code violation during a routine inspection, that facility is to remain closed until another inspector determines the problem has been fixed. Any active permits will be suspended while the restaurant remedies any issues. If a restaurant fails to fix any critical issues like a vermin infestation they could be fined.
According to County of Los Angeles Public Health records, Spice Season was rated an A restaurant for 7 years until its most recent inspection. Latest reports show that they have a B ranking with a score of 82 because of the vermin infestation.
Cockroaches are known to carry bacteria, including diseases Salmonella, staphylococcus and Streptococcus. According to Better Health, bacteria can survive in a cockroach’s digestive track for years and are often passed through their droppings. Cockroaches can defecate and vomit on food contaminating food items with the bacteria. Humans who eat contaminated food can get food poisoning which could be fatal. Cockroaches are known to thrive in warm, humid and unhygienic areas.
Last year, another Thai restaurant in Studio City, Dish Thai Fusion Cuisine, was closed due to a cockroach infestation. Dish Thai Fusion closed after inspection on January 8, 2019 and re-opened to the public on January 16, 2019.
