Greengrocer fined for 'extensive and uncontrolled' rodent infestation

Mouse infestation: the grim discovery made by inspectors
Robin de Peyer23 December 2015

A greengrocer whas been hit with a fine after goods were found to have been gnawed at by mice which left droppings throughout his store.

Ahmed’s Fruit & Veg in Stepney was found to be squalid when inspectors visited last November.

Council officials found “large quantities” of mouse droppings in boxes containing food and cleaning products at the shop.

Packets of dried fish and other food products were also found to have been gnawed by rodents, Tower Hamlets Council said.

The shop was closed due to the “extensive and uncontrolled” infestation.

Its owner, Abdul Malique, 47, of Jubilee Street, Stepney, has now been ordered to pay a fine of £1,500, prosecution costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Ayas Miah, Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “The council take breaches of food safety very seriously, especially when they are extreme cases such as this. We remind all food retailers of the importance of hygiene, and will take enforcement action when retailers are in breach of the law.”

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