A viral video showing fish fillets hanging on a clothesline behind a Mt Albert restaurant named “Mt. Albert BBQ Noodle House” has sparked a food safety investigation, leading to a downgrade in the restaurant’s hygiene rating.The video shared on Instagram on April 18 shows approximately 20 white fish fillets hanging on a clothesline in a shared backyard area. The location was identified as being associated with BBQ Noodle House on New North Road, based on signage visible in the footage.Alice Lau, manager of BBQ Noodle House, firmly denied any connection to the fish, stating that the area is a communal space shared with residents living above the restaurant. That is confirmed that that fish is for the resident, nothing used for the consumer or any customers, Lau told RNZ. She added that the tenant responsible had apologized and assured that it would not happen again.Auckland Council's food safety officer visited the restaurant on April 23 and downgraded the restaurant’s food hygiene rating from an A to a D. An improvement notice was issued, prohibiting the drying of fish or any other food outside the premises. Lau expressed her concern over the impact of the incident on the restaurant's reputation. She said that regular customers had begun questioning the restaurant’s hygiene, causing reputational damage. She also highlighted the cultural aspect of drying food, explaining that while the restaurant uses canned salted fish imported from overseas in some dishes, it does not practice outdoor drying.She explained that it's a traditional practice that has been used for centuries in China. Different communities have developed their methods of preserving and preparing it. In ancient times, people dried meat to preserve it because they didn’t have refrigerators, she said. They dried vegetables too. When they wanted to use them, they’d soak the dried food in water, then cook it in dishes like dumplings or buns, or stir-fry it with meat. It’s just like using fresh ingredients, but with a different flavor. Under Auckland Council's Food Safety Information Bylaw 2020, food businesses are required to adhere to strict hygiene standards and display their food grade certificates prominently. The bylaw aims to promote high food safety standards across the region. The restaurant has been given a fortnight to address the issues before a follow-up inspection.