10k Food Fine for Local Business - Article by Southend Borough Council

August 14, 2014 by Joanna Harrison

A local businessman has been fined £10,000 following a food hygiene prosecution brought by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Regulatory Services team (Wednesday 13th August 2014).

Environmental Health officers found a number of food hygiene breaches, including evidence of pests at Southend Bangla Bazaar in London Road when a visit took place on 23rd January 2014 following a complaint.

Mr Mohammed Nazrul Hussain Mannan pleaded guilty to charges brought against himself and his business.

Both Mr Mannan and the business that he owns were fined £5000 each, totalling £10,000, with £1460 awarded to the Council for costs and a £120 victim surcharge imposed.

He was found to have sold unfit food that was contaminated by pests and not reasonable for human consumption and for failing to ensure that adequate procedures were in place to control pests at the shop. The rear of the warehouse store was inspected and a rodent infestation was found. The area smelt of rodent urine and had mouse droppings adjacent to food. Droppings were found on shelving floors and food. Packets of food and boxes were sticky to the touch which is a sign of urination by the rodents as they would have freely been able to scramble through feeding on a variety of foods. The infestation was considered to be serious and widespread. There was no indication that any of the foods were due to be thrown away, so it was assumed that they were intended for sale to customers.

Cllr Mike Assenheim, Executive Councillor for Regulatory Control, says: “There is quite rightfully a basic expectation that those selling food to the public meet minimum standards of food hygiene and safety. To have such clear pest infestations that had clearly been ongoing for some time, and to not have addressed them is simply unacceptable.

I am very pleased that our officers have secured a successful prosecution. “To not meet these basic standards of hygiene is both dangerous and unacceptable, as is not having any food management systems in place or pest control documentation. “Our Regulatory Services team assists businesses to comply with legislation and thereby protect the health of the public from food related illness. Resources will be targeted to ensure a balanced mix of services which benefit the business sector, consumers and other stakeholders. “I do hope that the outcome of this case sends a clear message that Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will take action against those businesses that are prepared to put our residents at risk.”

Notes to editors Photograph 33 and 37 shows rodent droppings and evidence of food being gnawed through.

Other images are available on request.

Summonses: There were 2 summonses relating to conditions on the 23rd January 2014:

Placing on the market foods which were so contaminated by extraneous matter originating from mice or such similar or other pest that it would not be reasonable for them to be expected to be used for human consumption in that state. Failing to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests at the premises.