Walsall shop owner pays £3k for mouse infestation
A grocery shop in Walsall has been handed a bill of more than £3,000 after a rodent infestation was discovered.
Environmental health inspectors found mouse droppings among packaged foods, on floors and food preparation areas when they went in to FB Express in Caldmore unannounced.
There were also issues with an access point which enabled the pests to enter the premises on West Bromwich Street.
Officers immediately shut down the shop on November 17, 2014 demanding the owners carry out a number of measures to address the problems including deep cleaning the building.
After a re-inspection it was allowed to reopen two days later.
David Elrington environmental health manager at Walsall Council said: "This was an example of a business not carrying out the necessary pest control practices that all food business operators must carry out and posed a serious health hazard to the general public.
"Mice spread diseases such as salmonella and their faeces can contaminate food products thereby placing the public's health at risk if they are present in an area where food is being stored and sold.
"Around 80 per cent of the boroughs food businesses meet satisfactory standards for the production of food however those that don't and place the publics health at risk must understand that they could be subject to severe penalties upon conviction in court."
Walsall Council prosecuted owner Foyzur Rahman who was subsequently fined £960 for four environmental health offences and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £48.
Further fines totalling £1,920 were levied against the company as well as a £48 victim surcharge and costs of £1,137 which meant the firm must pay back £3,105 in total.
F B Express has open again but the owner was unavailable for comment.
Last year the owner of Madhina Foods in Caldmore was similar fined to the tune of more than £4,500 after inspectors discovered mouse droppings scattered throughout the premises.
The shop was inspected in October 2014 and shut for several days before being allowed to re-open.
Owner Mohammed Siraj admitted breaching three health and safety regulations before magistrates.
In November council health watchdogs shut down the New Wok on Darlaston Road after mouse droppings were found.
The Chinese takeaway was fully cleaned and a pest controller was brought on site before it was allowed to reopen.
