REVEALED: The 'Most Disgusting' Fast Food Restaurants, Including McDonalds, Burger King, Domino's Pizza | HuffPost Life

REVEALED: The 'Most Disgusting' Fast Food Restaurants

The Huffington Post UK

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If high fat, salt and calorie content isn't enough to put you off fast food, then perhaps mouse droppings and filthy kitchens will.

That is the dirty reality of some fast food restaurants according to official reports, obtained by Tutorcare as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

Mouse droppings were found on shelves and equipment in a London Domino's Pizza branch, and the same utensils were used to handle raw and cooked food in a Wimpy in Kent.

Not only that but a staff member was found sleeping on the food packaging in store at a Domino's in London.

This chart, created by Tutorcare, shows how major fast food chains scored according to the Food Standards Agency hygiene rating.

The top half of the charts shows the average FSA score for each restaurant, while the bottom half shows the lowest FSA score an individual restaurant in the chain scored.

Chicken Cottage was crowned the UK's 'most disgusting' food chain after receiving the lowest average score.

Tutorcare highlighted some of the worst cases of unhygienic restaurants:

Mouse Droppings

A significant amount of mouse droppings were found in a Domino's Pizza in London - on shelves, surfaces and under equipment. This puts you at risk of contracting Escherichia, hantavirus and many other harmful infections.

Out Of Date Food

In Chicken Cottage - Aylesbury, it was discovered that there was a lack of dating on food in the chiller. Not knowing what temperature to store foods at to lead to the growth harmful bacteria such as salmonella.

Unclean Premises

In Papa John's - Maidenhead, it was noted that the general standard of cleanliness was poor throughout the premises. This could enhance the spreading of germs and bacteria's which could result in customers suffering from diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.

But dirty kitchens and mouse infestations aren't the only issues facing the UK's fast food. (Yes, it gets worse. )

It turns out some are also highly dangerous, with a reported 71 gang related crimes at Chicken Cottage in Ladbroke Grove alone.

Speaking to the MailOnline, managing director of Tutorcare Gareth Jones said: 'Every restaurant must ensure that the food they serve and sell is safe to eat, this should be the cornerstone of any food related business. Food safety must always come ahead of profit.'

If that's not enough to gross you out, here are some of the weirdest things you could find in your food.

From an amino acid found in human hair in bread to wax from sheep's wool in chewing gum, the selection below might be enough to turn your stomach. You've been warned.

More Surprising Ingredients In Foods

Castoreum(01 of12)

What it is: Extract from beaver perineal glands.Where you'll find it:"Natural flavoring is defined by the FDA as any substance extracted, distilled or otherwise derived from 'natural' materials, such as plant or animal matter," Bruce Bradley, food industry veteran and food blogger explains. "In the case of strawberry and raspberry flavorings, some natural berry flavors may actually be enhanced by castoreum." It's also sometimes taken (intentionally) in supplement form. (credit:Flickr: Paul Stevenson)

Lanolin(02 of12)

What it is:Lanolin, also known as wool wax, is a yellow wax-like substance secreted by glands of wool-bearing animals, such as sheep.Where you'll find it:Lanolin is found in chewing gum. (credit:Alamy)

Gelatin(03 of12)

What it is: Gelatin is made from boiled bones, tendons and skin.Where you'll find it:Fruit gelatins such as jelly and other confectionary goods such as cake. (credit:Alamy)

Rennet(04 of12)

What it is: An enzyme found in calves' stomachs.Where you'll find it:In some cheeses. (credit:Alamy)

Shellac(05 of12)

What it is:Secretions from a bug native to Thailand, Health.com reports.Where you'll find it: Coating your favorite shiny sweets, like jelly beans. Look for it on ingredients lists as "confectioner's glaze". (credit:Flickr: Katili)

L-Cysteine(06 of12)

What it is: An amino acid made from human hair or duck feathers.Where you'll find it: Used as a dough conditioner in some bread products, Bradley says, which can improve the texture and feel of products, as well as prolong their shelf life. Michael Doyle, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia said that feathers and hair are readily-available waste products that would cost more money to dispose of, and since both are protein, they can be digested down to amino acids. (credit:Flickr: Fields of View)

Tuna scrape(07 of12)

What it is:"Tuna backmeat, which is specifically scraped off from the bones, and looks like a ground product." Think the pink slime of the sea.Where you'll find it:It has been used to make sushi by some manufacturers. (credit:Alamy)

Ammonium Sulfate(08 of12)

What it is: A salt compound comprised of nitrogen. Where you'll find it: In some fertilizers -- and in some breads, such as the rolls at Subway. Chemicals with ammonia are typically added to neutralize a food that's too acidic, says Doyle, which can affect texture. It's safe in the amounts it is used in foods, he says, but admits it will certainly be startling to many people, who may only be familiar with it as a heavy-duty cleaner. (credit:Flickr: woodleywonderworks)

Silicon Dioxide(09 of12)

What it is: Also known as silica, it's most often present as quartz or sand. Where you'll find it: It's added to foods as an anti-caking agent, to keep them from clumping, explains Doyle. (credit:Flickr: Matthias Rhomberg)

Azodicarbonamide(10 of12)

What it is: A processing agent Where you'll find it: It is found in hamburger buns. (credit:Flickr: qtschlepper)

Cellulose(11 of12)

What it is:Wood pulpWhere you'll find it: In shredded cheese, salad dressings, chocolate milk and more, according to the Wall Street Journal. It's added to foods to keep them from clumping by blocking moisture, and can thicken foods in the pace of oil or flour (as these are costly ingredients). (credit:Flickr: jamieanne)

Cochineal extract (12 of12)

What it is: Dried and crushed cochineal beetles.Where you'll find it:Starbucks had to change an ingredient of their Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino drinks, after it was revealed they were using cochineal extract. (credit:Alamy)

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