The owner of a Southall butchers has been fined after the discovery of an infestation of mice and insects.
Mohammed Hanif Khan, the owner of Hanif Halal Meat, in The Broadway, Southall, pleaded guilty to 4 offences, including failing to keep the premises clean, failing to have adequate procedures in place tocontrol pests, failed to ensure the construction of the premises had adequate pest control, failing to have fittings and equipment with which food comes into contact clean, where necessary, disinfected and failing to keep food premises clean and maintained in good repair, at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 20 January.
The court heard that Khan had been ordered to close the shop immediately in October 2024, after an unannounced inspection by Ealing Council’s food safety team found mice droppings, food debris, and larder beetles throughout the premises.
Khan was fined £1,923 and ordered to pay court costs of £2,758.70 and a victim surcharge of £769 – a total of £5,450.70.
Beetles and mouse poo
On 23 October 2024, the council’s food safety officers visited the business following a complaint from a member of the public about poor hygiene. They found mouse poo on equipment, food surfaces, and next to takeaway containers. There was a strong smell at the back of the shop, which was found to be caused by food debris in machinery and on the fridge seal. A nest of larder beetles was also found in the butcher’s block, and live beetles were found on the floor under the meat mincer.
The officers also discovered the building had gaps under doors and in walls, making it easy for pests to get in. It was decided that the conditions posed an imminent risk to health, and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served on the business, forcing it to close until the problems were fixed.
After the closure, council officers revisited the shop on 31 October 2024. They found that significant improvements had been made and allowed the business to reopen.
Protecting residents
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Rodent infestations in food businesses are completely unacceptable. The law on food hygiene standards is very clear, and this egregious breach of the rules put the shop’s customers at real risk of sickness. Our food safety team take swift action when a business does not observe the law.”
The council’s food safety team continues to carry out unannounced inspections across the borough to make sure food sold to residents is safe. Officers can issue notices, seize food, or bring prosecutions when businesses do not meet legal standards. You can contact the team by emailing foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk.
You can check the hygiene rating of a food business online by visiting the Food Standards Agency website.
For more information about food hygiene in the borough, visit the council website.
