Food shop fined for trading amid rat infestation

A food shop owner has been fined more than £11k after continuing to trade amid an "active rat infestation" environmental health officers found rat droppings throughout the store.

Sweet Elohim Afro Market in Wolverhampton was prosecuted for two food hygiene breaches which took place in November 2023 and saw it temporarily closed down.

The City of Wolverhampton Council said environmental health officers spotted rat droppings throughout the store.

Director Georgina Konadu also pleaded guilty to the same offences at Dudley Magistrates Court on 12 February.

Local authority health bosses added rat droppings had been discovered near to fruit and vegetables in open boxes, as well as other food in packets, tins and jars.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said it did not take the decision to prosecute or close a business lightly.

"In this thoroughly unpleasant case, evidence of the rat infestation was found throughout the premises. This caused a risk of significant illness in customers, and we had no choice but to close the premises until it was deemed safe."

The business was fined £2,680, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,072 and £4,584 in costs. Konadu was fined £1,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400 and £1,500 in costs.

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