Bahrain, Jul 1 (Gulf Daily News) : A BAHRAIN restaurant has dismissed a photograph showing a mouse in its food display as a hoax - claiming it was part of a dirty tricks campaign waged by a competitor.

The manager of Paul, in Seef Mall, told the GDN he had been fielding up to "1,000 calls a day" after the image was circulated by e-mail.

Company officials say the picture was actually taken at a shop in France, but health inspectors have been sent in anyway to check the restaurant after complaints poured in from concerned diners.

However, Health Ministry food control section acting head Manal Al Sairafi said they found nothing untoward.

"We received several complaints against the restaurant, but after investigation, it was cleared," she told the GDN.

"Our inspectors didn't find any such thing in the restaurant."

Paul general manager Ghassan Sakr claimed a competitor was behind the image, which he described as an underhand attempt to damage its business.

"When the Health Ministry got to know about it on Monday, they immediately sent their inspectors to check the restaurant, but found nothing," he said.

"They didn't take any action, there was no warning or notification.

"We have a letter from the ministry saying the restaurant is clear."

He said he had been bombarded with calls from the public, but said the police were not called in because it was not deemed necessary.

"I am getting 1,000 calls a day and people are asking about this picture. I am fed up of all these calls," he said.

"We didn't report to police because we feel it wasn't necessary.

"We also didn't think it would be a big deal, plus the restaurant is full and our customers trust us."

Meanwhile, Paul's Dubai-based regional marketing manager Stephanie Breuser said the picture was actually taken in France.

"The picture shows products we don't sell in the Middle East," she said. "It shows quiche Lorraine, which we cannot sell in Bahrain or other GCC countries (because it contains pork).

"Plus, it also shows the price tag on it, which is definitely not in Bahrain.

"It has actually been identified as a shop in Paris and the picture was circulated in France and Europe in March this year."