Coventry food firm fined over rat infestation

A Coventry food firm has been fined after council food and safety officers made a grim discovery in its factory. A ‘significant’ rat infestation had left large amounts of nibbled food and droppings throughout the warehouse at Dairy Farm Products Limited based at Unit 10 on Hales Industrial Park.

As a result of the unannounced routine visit in May last year, the warehouse was voluntarily closed whilst improvements were made and the infestations treated. Once the rat infestation was sufficiently under control and no imminent risk to health remained, the warehouse was able to be used again.

The premises has been subject to a number of visits since this incident and pest management remains under control.

Coventry City Council brought action against Siraj Hussain, the food operator at the business, and he pleaded guilty to three hygiene offences at Coventry Magistrates Court on May 15.

Mr Hussain pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Failure to put in place adequate procedures to control pests

• Failure to keep the premises clean and maintained in good repair and condition

• Failure to protect food from contamination

When questioned about the poor conditions found, a representative of the company stated that they had been trying to control the rat activity themselves following the termination of their previous pest control contract, as they had struggled to find an alternative.

Mr Hussain was fined £5,539 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,602.50 as well as a victim surcharge of £190.

‘Risk to health’

Councillor Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for policing and equalities at the city council, explained: “Officers will always try to work with businesses offering advice and guidance where possible but will take the necessary actions if they feel there is a risk to health.

“In this instance, the seriousness of the findings resulted in the need to close the warehouse until the risk to health was removed. It is vital that people running food businesses in Coventry have adequate procedures in place to ensure the safety of the food they sell at all times.”

Davina Blackburn, strategic lead for regulation in the city, added: “We take a staged approach to enforcement wherever possible, but the conditions found here required immediate action.”

“Food hygiene is a serious matter and the courts have sent out a strong message to expect a substantial fine.”

“We would encourage all residents to report unsatisfactory food hygiene conditions found in food businesses in Coventry to [email protected] or call 08085834333.”

For all the latest news about Coventry, sign up for our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT: