Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium has been given a two-star food hygiene rating after mouse droppings were found in multiple hospitality areas.
The inspection report from the Trafford Council, which was completed on April 16, gave recognition that “significant work has taken place to control the mice activity on site” but found that seven different areas of the stadium — including the Ambassador Lounge, the Number 7 Suite and the Devil’s Bar — contained rodent droppings.
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No droppings were found in any kitchens or food preparation areas.
A number of other issues were highlighted in the report from the environmental health experts, including open containers of condiments that exceeded the recommended label dates of the manufacturer’s instructions. One example highlighted how a pesto container had a ‘one-month’ label on it despite manufacturer instructions to use within eight days.
Other areas of the stadium had no hot water or soap available, while the general cleanliness of several areas of hospitality in the stadium was criticised in the report.
The council’s report said United “need to persevere with the measures being implemented to eradicate activity within food areas”.
A Manchester United spokesperson said: “Manchester United implements a robust pest-control system throughout Old Trafford.
“Multiple weekly checks are made in all catering areas and stringent measures are taken to ensure levels of hygiene and cleanliness are high wherever food is stored, prepared and served.
“If incidences of this nature do occur at the stadium, immediate and appropriate action is taken.”
In December 2023, United were given a one-star rating after guests at a corporate event were served raw chicken. Before the incident and an inspection in November of that year Old Trafford had a maximum five out of five rating.
The FSA is an independent government department that works to protect public health, with its ratings assessing the handling of food, how food is stored and prepared and the cleanliness of facilities.
Any businesses given low ratings by the local authority food safety officer must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards. If it is judged that there is an imminent risk to public health, when food may be unsafe to eat, part of a business could be stopped or closed down until it is safe to recommence.
United draw substantial revenue from hosting events and providing hospitality, particularly around matchdays. Restoring a rating can take a lengthy period of time and could also impact the hospitality rates the club can charge.
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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