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A rat noticed scurrying across the meals prep space of a UBC cafeteria has some stomachs turning.
The rodent was not solely noticed by a number of college students — it was additionally caught on video, which has been shared on social media and gone viral.
College students tells CityNews it occurred at on-campus cafeteria Open Kitchen on Tuesday evening. It was a busy time, with many ready in line for his or her dinner.
Isabel Curiston, a first-year scholar, says she was ready for her meals when she heard some commotion.
“I heard somebody yell, ‘Oh my God, is {that a} rat in Open Kitchen,’” she recalled.
“I search for and I see this rat arising out of the cracks, proper the place there’s the entire salad fixings. As soon as everybody began making a raucous, it form of went down a bit bit after which as soon as everybody stopped yelling, it got here again out all the best way onto the platform,” she stated of the incident, which came about at a counter just like what you’d see at a sandwich store.Rat seen scurrying throughout counter at UBC cafeteriaSharePlay Video
That’s when she says a employee got here out to take care of the state of affairs — although not in probably the most thorough method.
“One of many staff got here up very casually and picked up the rat with a pair of tongs after which simply threw it on the bottom and simply walked away from the rat,” Curiston stated.
She caught the entire thing on digicam. Understandably, Curiston says she didn’t wait round for her meals, strolling away as an alternative.
One other scholar, who needs to stay nameless, equally describes the ordeal to CityNews, saying employees eliminated the meals the rat was instantly close to.
Nevertheless, he claims staff continued to serve college students after the incident.
“If there’s one rat there’s undoubtedly extra,” the coed stated.
He admits he was shocked by the rat, including he’s by no means questioned the standard or security of the meals at Open Kitchen.
“It at all times looks as if it’s fairly clear and stuff, however then this occurred and fully modified my perspective,” the coed added.
Rat incident prompts VCH inspection
In an announcement, UBC says it closed the grill station proper after the incident. The college provides all of the meals on the station was thrown out and that the station underwent an intensive cleansing and sanitation.
“UBC Meals Providers is dedicated to offering clear and high-quality companies and are working actively with our pest management companion to deal with the state of affairs. We’ve got additionally proactively contacted Vancouver Coastal Well being, and can work intently with them as wanted. All staff have been knowledgeable and reminded about correct sanitation measures as vital,” the assertion from Colin Moore, director of Meals Providers, reads.
In a observe up, the college says VCH has accomplished an inspection and that no proof of infestation was discovered.
In an electronic mail confirming its investigation, the well being authority says “Inspections are performed usually and when complaints are obtained.”
“Every go to generates an inspection report that’s offered to the operator to both affirm they’re compliant with rules or lists deficiencies that should be addressed,” VCH writes, although it didn’t define whether or not any deficiencies have been discovered.
“It was simply pure shock,” Curiston stated of her preliminary response to the rat.
Meal plan refunds
All UBC Vancouver college students who stay in residence are required to participate within the faculty’s meal plan program.
Regardless of the measures taken, Curiston says she’d like a few of the cash she spent on the Residence Meal Plan again, noting she — and lots of different college students who’re additionally uncomfortable consuming on-campus now — can’t afford to purchase meals elsewhere.
“I feasibly can’t afford to be going out and paying for meals, and that’s why I’m on the meal plan. So not having the ability to have one thing that I paid for firstly of the 12 months and proper now could be form of distressing, as a result of I don’t come up with the money for to simply stay off of that for meals as a result of I’ve put a lot cash in for that,” she stated.
“I depend on that kitchen,” added the second scholar, noting he would additionally like his a reimbursement, telling CityNews he gained’t be going again to that cafeteria.
Whereas UBC has different on-campus cafeterias the place Curiston would have the ability to use her meal card, she says she’s heard of different sanitation issues at these services.
“I bodily can’t eat there or else I really feel like I’ll throw up,” she stated.
Of the worker who “dealt” with the rat at Open Kitchen, Curiston says she’s “disturbed” by the best way he dealt with the state of affairs.
“That’s going to constantly occur, the rat’s going to constantly come again since you didn’t do something, you actually simply moved it off the floor.”
Curiston says lots of her associates have reached out to UBC, however provides the college had not responded to them by the point she had spoken to CityNews.
The coed who spoke to CityNews anonymously says he has spoken to a UBC employees member and was advised a report was filed. He was additionally advised he’d be contacted by the college, although it’s unclear if that’s occurred.
Some folks on-line have stated this ordeal has introduced again reminiscences of an unrelated incident through which a rat was present in a bowl of chowder served at a Vancouver restaurant in 2019.
