A kebab shop owner has been hit with a £24,000 fine after mouse droppings were found on rotting salad at a north-west London takeaway.
Food health inspectors discovered droppings on rotting tomatoes and cucumbers at Mama’s Kitchen, in Northolt, during a surprise inspection.
Overflowing bins and mouldy food strewn over the kitchen floor sparked a huge infestation of vermin, Harrow Council said.
Owner Kalpana Ashokumar, from Harrow, admitted seven food hygiene breaches at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on April 25.
She was fined £24,905 and banned from running food businesses.
Councillor Graham Henson described the discovery as “the stuff of kitchen nightmares” and claimed “someone could have ended up in hospital” if they had eaten food from the restaurant.
He said: “This is the stuff of kitchen nightmares – someone could have ended up in hospital.
“This huge fine is totally deserved. Despite all our efforts to help Mrs Ashokumar, she failed to bring her business up to scratch. I want to be completely clear – when we find businesses in a disgusting state, we will make them pay.”
Mama’s Kitchen, which has a food hygiene rating of one, will be monitored by inspectors and will face closure unless improvements are made, the council said.
The takeaway has been contacted for a comment.
