Chatha Fresh Food Limited, based in Cross Street, Bilston, had been trading under unhygienic conditions with evidence of mouse activity within part of the premises.
The business is a national supplier of ready to eat foods and City of Wolverhampton Council’s environmental health officers found an active mouse infestation during a routine inspection in April 2022.
The inspection found that food packaging and a walk-in chiller where food was being stored were contaminated with mice droppings. A live mouse was also caught in a trap within the same walk-in chiller.
Mandeep Singh, director of Chatha Fresh Food Limited, pleaded guilty to 2 breaches of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 for failing to:
- have adequate procedures in place to control pests
- protect food against contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption
The court fined Mandeep Singh £667 and ordered him to pay full costs of £6638 and victim surcharge.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for environment and climate change at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Poor food hygiene can cause significant illnesses and this business owner has knowingly put his customers at risk.
“This shows a shocking lack of care and responsibility and I hope other businesses take note of the court’s judgement in this case.
“Our environmental health officers work very hard to protect residents and consumers and I hope this sends out a strong message to food businesses that we take food hygiene very seriously in Wolverhampton.”
