Rat-infested food shop in Luton fined over £32,000 after 9 food safety and hygiene failings uncovered

Al Huzaifa Food Store Ltd, on Beechwood Road, was sentenced at Luton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 14, after pleading guilty to nine offences brought against them by Luton Borough Council.

The company and its director, Ratheeka Francis Sutharson, 35, also of Beechwood Road, were fined £32,311 in total for food hygiene offences.

On July 2 last year, a food safety officer found evidence of rat activity and used emergency hygiene powers to close the business to protect public health.

Rat droppings were found, along with chewed food and packaging. There was no pest control contract in place and no house checks for pest activity.

The business was permitted to reopen following work to address this.

During a second visit on July 23 that year, a food safety officer found that an area of the premises used to store foods was still not pest-proofed despite the earlier warning. There was evidence of pest activity, including chewed packaging and rat droppings inside the shop, along with poor cleaning standards.

Due to the poor standards uncovered, the premises was closed immediately for a second time using hygiene emergency powers to protect public health.

The business has since changed ownership and has a current Food Hygiene Rating of 3.

Cllr Jacqui Burnett, portfolio holder for public protection, said ‘’It is extremely important that businesses carry out regular checks for pest activity inside and outside of their premises and that they only use suitable storage areas, which meet hygiene standards and are pest proofed to store food.

“We will have no hesitation in closing businesses down which have pest activity and taking strong enforcement action, including prosecution where public health is at risk.’’

Food business operators must use reputable pest controllers, with a permanent contract in place. Businesses should check that their pest controllers are registered with the British Pest Control Association or The National Pest Technical Association.

Alternatively, food business operators can obtain advice and guidance and use the council’s own pest control service by contacting 01582 546814 or emailing [email protected].