Nine food outlets in West Auckland are among the 17 most dirtiest eateries in Auckland, with most of them caught with pest infestations.

In the most recent list of D grade food outlets by Auckland Council, from January to February, food inspectors found 17 eateries with lower than usual hygiene and process standards.

Pest control issues were found at five of the West Auckland eateries – Diamond Cafe and Takeaway in Avondale, Foodie's Kitchen in New Lynn, The Hardware Cafe in Titirangi and Hongka BBQ Restaurant in Glen Eden.

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF Several Auckland eateries were found to be infested by pests (file image).

The Hardware Cafe has since been reinspected and issued an A grade on Thursday.

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Auckland Council team leader food safety and health enforcement Alan Ahmu said an infestation could mean anything from rats, mice or cockroaches.

Alberobelle Coffee on Queen St in the central city also had a pest infestation.

"The infestation may have been observed in a non-critical area such as storage areas, where there is no food or food that is in tins or bottles and can't be accessed by pests," Ahmu said.

All pest-infested food outlets also had poor cleaning standards, inadequate maintenance, non implementation of a food control plan and cross contamination risks.

The remaining four West Auckland D grade food outlets – Titirangi Indian Kitchen, Thip Thai Restaurant in Glenmall, and Gorkha Kitchen in Glen Eden – had inadequate records, issues with cleanliness and cross contamination risks.

More than 9000 registered food outlets are open to unscheduled visits from food inspectors.

123RF.com An infestation could mean anything from rats, mice or cockroaches at a food outlet (file image).

There are no food outlets currently graded E, the worst possible rating.

Council changed the way it issued E grades in December.

An E grade previously meant an eatery had the undesirable rating for at least 90 days until the next assessment.

However, now the E grade meant businesses must close until all problems have been rectified, then another grade is issued.

E grade ratings are given for critical risks, like an out of control pest infestation or absolutely filthy kitchen.

A food outlet that remained non-compliant faced prosecution and a fine of up to $250,000 for body corporates or $50,000 for individual businesses.

Ahmu said the majority of businesses maintain good ratings with council, and only 1 per cent receive E grades.

"Grading is a good motivation for good businesses. Often businesses that are issued low grades always come back and maintain a good grade after that."

D GRADE EATERIES, JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

D'Grand Haveli, Manukau

Al's Deli, CBD

Diamond Cafe & Takeaway, Avondale

Alberobello Coffee, CBD

Toscana Lunch Bar, Epsom

Beijing Duck Restaurant Ti Rakau, East Tamaki

Supercity Halal Meats NZ Limited, Otahuhu

Foodie's Kitchen, New Lynn

The Hardware Cafe, Titirangi

Hongka BBQ Restaurant, Glen Eden

Titirangi Indian Kitchen, Titirangi

Thip Thai Restaurant, Glen Eden

Gorkha Kitchen, Glen Eden

Peninsula Bakehouse, Te Atatū Peninsula

​Cafe Club & Bakery, Takanini

Kaya Restaurant, Rosedale

Indigo Takeaway, Avondale