Rio Inspectors Close Three Botafogo Eateries Over Cockroaches and Rodent Feces

Overview

• The operation began around 6 p.m. Friday on Rua Voluntários da Pátria and Rua Nelson Mandela in Botafogo, an area dense with bars and restaurants.
• Epifania Japa e Bar, Boteco Bom de Copo, and Rosa de Ouro Restaurante, Bar e Pizzaria were interdicted after pests and hygiene failures were found in kitchens, prep areas, and storage.
• Ten of the 11 inspected establishments received penalties of about R$4,000 each for sanitary irregularities, with roughly 430 kg of spoiled or poorly stored food discarded.
• Inspectors also enforced sidewalk-use rules that require a 1.5-meter clear corridor for pedestrians, instructing venues to remove furniture that blocked passage.
• City officials said the three businesses can reopen only after structural and sanitary corrections, with ongoing inspections supported by the Guarda Municipal and Subop and 276 fines issued in the past 50 days.