A KFC customer in Tauranga received a little surprise in their chips last month when a cockroach was reported to have been found in food from the premises.

A complaint was received by the Bay of Plenty public health service Toi Te Ora, who investigate health issues on behalf of the Ministry of Primary Industries, in the first week of May.

KFC in Gate Pa.

KFC general manager Brent Kitto says the Gate Pa KFC store has an excellent food safety record and a robust pest control program.

'A full investigation initiated by the store was unable to determine the source or cause of the contamination, and found there was no evidence to suggest it came from the store.”

"No other similar complaints were received and no issues were raised by the Tauranga City Council Environmental Health Officer responsible for the annual inspection.

'The Bay of Plenty District Health Board looked into the matter and confirmed to us that based on pest control records there does not appear to be an insect infestation issue at KFC Gate Pa and their investigation into the matter is closed,” says Brent.

Tauranga has more than 600 registered food premises. This number fluctuates through the year as premises open and close.

Tauranga City Council Group communication advisor Alison Clifford says the council inspects approximately 100 premises a month.

'All high risk premises are inspected twice a year, unless the premise has a food control plan. Premises with FCPs are audited once a year.

'There are 15 premises with food control plans registered with the council. If inspections uncover issues that need to be addressed we will revisit the premises to ensure compliance to food safety regulations. So some premises will be inspected three or more times a year,” says Alison.

When an issue like foreign objects or insects in food is reported it goes directly to Toi Te Ora Public Health.

The cockroach complaint was dealt with directly by Toi Te Ora.