Milton Keynes food wholesaler fined £33k after serious rat and mice infestation uncovered
A food wholesaler in Bletchley has been fined more than £33,000 after a serious infestation was revealed during a routine inspection.
Food Mill Limited on Bilton Road was inspected by the City Council’s Environmental Health officers on March 5, who discovered evidence of a widespread rat and mice infestation.
The City Council said it was an “imminent risk to public health”, prompting officers to serve a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice ordering the business to close immediately.
The wholesaler was only allowed to reopen after thorough works were carried out, including pest-proofing the building, eradicating the infestation and disposing of contaminated food.
Food Mill Limited, trading as World Foods Wholesale, appeared at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court on November 6 following the inspection.
The company pleaded guilty to two food hygiene offences, and was fined £33,334. It was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and cover the council's full costs of £1,766.82.
Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Sam Crooks said: "Residents should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe. Our Environmental Health team works behind the scenes every day to protect public health, and this case shows the importance of that work.
“In this case, the team acted quickly to protect consumers, and I'm pleased the owners took the necessary steps to address the issues identified and bring the premises back up to the required standard.
“While most food businesses in Milton Keynes work hard to maintain good standards, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where businesses fall short of what is required by law."