Holland and Barrett has been hit with a huge £500,000 fine
The health food store, on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, was inspected by Westminster council hygiene inspectors after a complaint was made about a mouse infestation.
When they visited, they found the store infested with mice and covered in droppings and urine.
Pictures taken by inspectors showed open food packets on sale and rodent droppings on shelves.
The council closed down the store for just under two weeks after concluding that customers faced ‘an immediate danger’.
They were initially handed a £750,000 fine for offences under Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations after the judge noted that the chain made profits of more than £2 million a week, with assets of £17 million in cash.
But this was reduced to £500,000 after the retailer pleaded guilty to three charges, including failing to protect food from contamination, at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court.
In 2012, the firm was forced to pay a £21,000 fine after rats and mice were found to have infested one of its stores in Islington.
A spokesman for Holland & Barrett said: ‘This was an isolated infestation in February 2016. We are very sorry we were unable to manage it more successfully.
‘We have over 1000 stores and mice are an unfortunate but very occasional challenge facing all high street retailers.
‘We have now further strengthened our systems by appointing a replacement specialist supplier and a new specialist technical services officer to ensure that all of our stores continue to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety that our customers expect.’
Source: http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/10/holland-and-barrett-fined-500000-after-mouse-droppings-were-found-in-food-6439699/
When they visited, they found the store infested with mice and covered in droppings and urine.
Pictures taken by inspectors showed open food packets on sale and rodent droppings on shelves.
The council closed down the store for just under two weeks after concluding that customers faced ‘an immediate danger’.
They were initially handed a £750,000 fine for offences under Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations after the judge noted that the chain made profits of more than £2 million a week, with assets of £17 million in cash.
But this was reduced to £500,000 after the retailer pleaded guilty to three charges, including failing to protect food from contamination, at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court.
In 2012, the firm was forced to pay a £21,000 fine after rats and mice were found to have infested one of its stores in Islington.
A spokesman for Holland & Barrett said: ‘This was an isolated infestation in February 2016. We are very sorry we were unable to manage it more successfully.
‘We have over 1000 stores and mice are an unfortunate but very occasional challenge facing all high street retailers.
‘We have now further strengthened our systems by appointing a replacement specialist supplier and a new specialist technical services officer to ensure that all of our stores continue to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety that our customers expect.’
Source: http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/10/holland-and-barrett-fined-500000-after-mouse-droppings-were-found-in-food-6439699/
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