Mice infestations at three Oldham food outlets

Oldham Council environmental health officers found uncontrolled mice infestations when they visited three Oldham food outlets.

The inspectors visited Creamy Way, Ashton Road, on February 7 last year and as well as discovering vermin on the premises, they also found no food management system was in operation.

On March 8 at Tameside Magistrates’ Court, a representative of Creamy Way Ltd failed to attend.

The company – which specialises in desserts – was found guilty of four offences Under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 Act and was fined £5,600 with a £170 victim surcharge and £1,100 costs.

A routine inspection of the Blue Onion, Henshaw Street on May 17, 2017, found mouse droppings on food preparation/storage surfaces, no hot water at the hand wash basin and no food safety management system in place.

Owner Michael Cattlin pleaded guilty to one offence of having inadequate pest control under and was fined £165, plus a £30 victim surcharge and £1,100 costs on March 8.

When inspectors visited Zamans, on Featherstall Road, on May 8, 2017, they found mouse droppings on kitchen surfaces and there was also evidence of rats in rear storage areas.

The former owner Samru Zaman, of Lyndene Gardens, Stockport, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 on March 15.

He was fined £165 with a £30 victim surcharge £300 costs

Meanwhile, on the same day, Hirst Family Trading Company Ltd, trading as Albion Farm Shop and Café, Oldham Road, Delph, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Food Safety Act 1990, Section 15 1(a).

On March 28 last year a formal sample of minced lamb was purchased and sent for analysis. It was found to contain 20-per-cent cow DNA i.e. beef in the sample. 

The food was falsely described.

The company was fined £1,000 with a £100 victim surcharge and £700 costs.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “Business owners who run food establishments must comply with food laws or be prepared to face the consequences – we will not allow them to put the safety of residents at risk or sell produce that is not what it is claimed to be.

“Our environmental health team is here to help and if you do run an establishment and you need advice around food legislation please get in touch.”  

Contact the health safety team on email: ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 2244.

All Oldham food business ratings are on the Food Standards Agency website http://ratings.food.gov.uk/QuickSearch.aspx