Horrified couple from west London find a live cockroach wriggling in their Pizza Hut takeaway

Horrified: Cara Powell and Chay Watts found a live cockroach on their Pizza Hut takeaway
Cara Powell
Laura Proto17 September 2015

A couple from west London were left horrified and ‘feeling sick’ after finding a live cockroach wriggling in their takeaway ordered from Pizza Hut.

Chay Watts, 27, and Cara Powell, 25, ordered a half-and-half pizza from the branch in Yiewsley on Tuesday evening and were looking forward to tucking in to their evening meal with their four-year-old son, Jody.

The couple, from West Drayton, pulled a few slices from the pizza and began eating when they noticed something next to a slice of pineapple in the box.

Mr Watts told the Standard: “I said to my missus ‘what is that?’ She picked up the plastic thing in the middle of the pizza box and moved it [the cockroach] and it was still moving.

“I felt sick. We were starving so got a takeaway and were looking forward to eating it and that happened.”

Cara Powell and partner Chay Watts (left) and Miss Powell with her son, Jody (right)
Cara Powell

Mr Watts, who works as a tattooist, said he immediately called the branch they had ordered the pizza from but when he informed them of the sickening incident, he said, they “didn’t seem that bothered”.

He said: “The girl said the best they could do was send another pizza out. I didn’t want it and it turned up with a tub of Haagen Daas ice cream which was meant to be the compensation. That is not good enough.”

Both Mr Watts and his son had eaten half a slice of pizza each before they noticed the insect and the youngster has since become unwell and had to miss part of his second week at primary school.

The couple believe the germs spread by the cockroach contributed to their son’s illness.

The couple ordered the £9.99 pizza from the Yiewsley branch on Tuesday
Cara Powell

Mr Watts said he has contacted Pizza Hut’s head office and Trading Standards but has been left extremely disappointed by the fast food chain’s response.

He added: “The manager of the branch called me and he said could I send him the pictures by email but that was it. I sent him the photos and not heard anything back from him.

“I called the headquarters again and said my son was ill now and if it’s because of the pizza, I am going to take legal action.

“They said they would get back to me. I want it dealt with quite soon. It is getting serious now.”

The cockroach was found next to a slice of pineapple
Cara Powell

Miss Powell said the discovery of the cockroach had put her off pizza for life.

A Pizza Hut spokesman said: "Health and safety is of the utmost importance to Pizza Hut Delivery and we are committed to maintaining high standards in all our branches. This particular branch has a five star hygiene rating.

"An independent inspector has since visited the site and found no evidence of any pest activity. We are confident that this is an isolated incident and that there is no risk to our customers or products.

"We are providing the customer with a full refund and are speaking with them to ensure it is resolved to their satisfaction."

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