One Stop Stores Ltd. – a subsidiary of a major UK supermarket – has been fined £80,000 plus costs for breaching food hygiene rules in their Ribbleton Avenue store, Preston.

Preston Crown Court heard that during an unannounced inspection on 1 December 2014 an Environmental Health officer found a total of eight dead mice on glue boards and snap traps across the store.

Mouse droppings were also present on the store floor and shelving, and some crisp packets had been nibbled open and the contents eaten.

Commenting on the size and nature of the prosecution, Craig Sharp, Head of Environmental Health at Preston City Council, said:

“Every shop, large or small has to deal with the problem of mice. Responsible traders plan for it and deal with a problem quickly and effectively if it arises.
“Whilst the company acted swiftly to deal with the problem following the visit on 1 December, it was subsequently discovered that the store had had problems with mice, intermittently, since at least 2013.
“Mice carry a range of bacteria and viruses and the risk to pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals in particular, has potentially serious consequences.
"I hope that this case will serve as a warning to other food businesses that robust procedures need to be in place and actively monitored to ensure the public are protected.”
Background information
Environmental Health officer visited on Monday 1 December 2014 for an unannounced food hygiene inspection.
Eight dead mice were found on snap traps or rodent glue boards; mouse droppings on shelves and on the floor throughout the store; and gnawed food.
Further investigation revealed that the infestation had been ongoing since October 2013.
The company had a pest control arrangement with a contractor that had been visiting the premises at least once each month to deal with mice related problems. The underlying cause of the recurrent pest problem was never fully investigated until after the HEPN was served.
A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice (HEPN) was served as the business did not volunteer to close, and there was a significant and imminent risk to health from the mouse infestation. The HEPN was not challenged by One Stop Stores Ltd, and was confirmed in court on 3 December 2014.
One Stop stores Ltd pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 27 January 2016 to two offences – adequate procedures were not in place to control pests and food was placed on the market that was unsafe. Having considered all the relevant factors the Justices felt that the maximum fine available to them was insufficient to address the gravity and seriousness of the offences and committed the matter for sentence to the Crown Court.
Sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court on Thursday 4 August 2016.
The fine imposed was £80,000 plus the council’s prosecution costs of £11,776.60.