Store with rat-gnawed food packaging fined £30k

A grocery store owner has been fined almost £30,000 for a serious rat infestation described by an environmental health officer as the worst she had ever seen.

Muthu Kumaravelu, director of India Bazzar (PVT) Ltd, in Broadgreen, Swindon, admitted six breaches of food hygiene regulations at Swindon Magistrates Court on Friday.

Inspectors reported an "overpowering" smell of rat urine and gnawed food items taped and put back on shelves when they visited in November 2023.

The business was closed down for six weeks and needed repeated visits before it could re-open.

During their visit officers noticed rat droppings on the floor and shelves.

A bag of flour was on display stained with rat urine and smear marks on walls and packaging.

Gnawed electrical cables above shelving units were also found.

Officers served an emergency notice, immediately closing the business.

The court heard there was no pest control contract, instead Mr Kumaravelu was trying to deal with the infestation with bait and bait blocks in white bowls around the shop.

He told the council he was blocking holes in walls and doors with fishing net, but the rats were gnawing around it.

During the investigation, Mr Kumaravelu denied there was an active infestation, stating there were only a few damaged packages.

The court heard that a lack of funds was a problem in getting the issue dealt with.

Mr Kumaravelu was fined £20,000, ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £6,479, and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

The business was fined £500, plus a victim surcharge of £200, resulting in a total of £29,179.

Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: "We are pleased the court imposed such a significant sentence. I hope it sends a strong message that food hygiene needs to be taken extremely seriously."

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