COCKROACHES in the kitchen, rat droppings in the deep fryer and salmonella are just a few of the nasties that Brisbane’s food safety inspectors are finding on the menu at some of the city’s most popular restaurants.

Top franchises and well-known restaurants were among the eateries slapped with a whopping total of $600,000 in fines for dodgy hygiene and health practices during the 2013-14 financial year.

The revelations follow the DM jazz cafe being fined $25,000 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this week after a customer found a live cockroach in the chicken and mushroom risotto.

Food safety inspectors slapped more than 30 restaurants and cafes with fines as part of the city council’s EatSafe program in a bid to clean up the industry.

Franchises including Sumo Salad and Shingle Inn, as well as popular restaurants such as the Landmark Restaurant at Sunnybank and Beach House Bar and Grill in the CBD were among those punished for breaches.

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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au Written by Matthew Killoran.