By Josh Layton

Copyright metro

A Costa Coffee branch was pulled up on multiple food hygiene issues by an environmental health inspector (Picture: Library image by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Fly larvae was discovered in stagnant water at a Costa Coffee branch which was given a one-star rating for food hygiene, a report shows.

The organisms posed a ‘risk to health’ in the assessment of an environmental health officer who visited the drive-thru in Rotherham.

The official also found that utensils were being stored together in containers, ‘having been used multiple times, earlier in the day.’

Costa Coffee responded by highlighting a revisit which ‘confirmed that the business has implemented the necessary changes.’

The report by the Rotherham Council inspector states: ‘There was an accumulation of stagnant water in the metal tray/liner in the base of the cabinet beneath the wash basin at the servery.

‘This water appeared to be arising from potentially foul water leakage from the Environmental Biotech unit and was brown in colour with a strong foul odour. Fly larvae were visible in the water.

‘This water was very likely colonised with a range of organisms, possibly including pathogens and was considered to present a risk to health.

‘There was notable fruit fly activity around this area.’

The Costa Coffee in Rotherham is due for a new rating after a council inspector found a number of issues during an inspection (Picture: Google)

Utensils were found to be incorrectly stored during the visit on July 21 this year, which resulted in the premises in Poplar Way, Catcliffe, being given one out of a possible five stars for food hygiene.

The inspector found: ‘A range of utensils, including several pairs of tongs, cake slices and knives were stored together in dirty containers having been used multiple times, earlier in the day.

‘I was advised that these utensils are routinely used for the entire day, and are only washed at the end of the night.

‘This means that all food being handled by these utensils are likely to be contaminated with residues from a range of different products.’

The officer also found a contamination issue in the storage boxes.

The report states: ‘In the base of the containers, there was dirt and debris and in one case, a sachet of HP sauce which had been split open.

‘This was likely to have contaminated some of the utensils stored in this particular container.’

The Coca-Cola-owned chain responded by saying that the branch is due for reinspection after the issues were addressed (Picture: Library image from In Pictures via Getty)

Further issues included an overflowing waste bin in the servery area and a ‘makeshift plastic fly screen’, which was found to be ‘covered in fingerprints and food residue’.

The inspector wrote that the insect barrier had apparently been created and fitted by ‘a customer’, and noted that it was also ‘torn and damaged.’

In total, 23 points were raised by the official in a letter to Costa Coffee, which the Coca-Cola-owned chain has a legal requirement to address.

Sam Barstow, Rotherham Council’s assistant director for community safety and street scene, said: ‘Having good food safety practices is essential for any organisation providing food services.

‘As a local authority, the council undertakes regular inspections with local businesses to ensure they are following guidance, and complying with the law, to protect residents’ health.

‘Where improvements are needed, the council sets out clear expectations for changes to be made and will revisit businesses to check they have made improvements within the timescales set.’

The rating was live on the Food Standards Agency’s website as of September 29, 2025.

The branch nevertheless has an excellent 4.4 rating on Google reviews, based on 331 posts.

A spokesperson for Costa Coffee said: ‘The Costa Coffee in question did not meet the required standards during an inspection and as a result was awarded a one-star hygiene rating.

‘A revisit has since confirmed that the business has implemented the necessary changes, and we will arrange for the rating to be reviewed in due course.’

Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact josh.layton@metro.co.uk

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