Birmingham Takeaway Fined £14,000 After Mouse Infestation Discovery
Published on 07/22/2026 at 23:18 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A Birmingham catering company and its director have been ordered to pay more than £14,000 in fines and costs after environmental health officers discovered a dead mouse and widespread rodent droppings on the premises. The case is the latest in a growing wave of enforcement actions across the UK targeting food businesses for serious hygiene failures.
Unsanitary Conditions Force Closure
Birmingham Magistrates' Court imposed a £10,000 fine on Zaiqa Catering Birmingham Ltd, which traded as Handi Roti, on July 22, 2026. The company was also ordered to pay £4,500 in surcharges and costs. Director Muhammad Bilal Malik received a 12-month conditional discharge.
The prosecution followed a May 2025 inspection by environmental health officers who found a dead mouse and extensive rodent droppings on the premises. Investigators described generally dirty conditions that posed an imminent risk to public health. The business was forced to close for four days to undergo deep cleaning and professional pest control treatment.
Pest infestations aren't just a food-business problem — any workplace can face hygiene and safety risks that lead to enforcement action. Keeping thorough health and safety records is your first line of defence. A free toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments and checklists to help you stay compliant with UK regulations. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
Retailer Hit With £2 Million Penalty
The action against the Birmingham takeaway comes just days after B&M Retail Ltd was fined £2 million on July 13, 2026, for food hygiene failures at three of its Birmingham stores. The company also paid £18,104 in costs and a £2,000 surcharge.
The case involved stores at St Andrews Retail Park, Priory Square, and The Fort Shopping Park. Inspections carried out between November 2024 and October 2025 uncovered severe mouse infestations, with droppings and urine contamination found near food products and children's toys. In several instances, inspectors found gnawed food packaging on shelves.
All three locations were hit with Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices, forcing immediate closure until the risks were addressed. B&M representatives expressed regret and said the company had since strengthened its pest-control procedures. Local officials, including Councillor Sam Forsyth, highlighted the severity of the conditions discovered.
Regional Enforcement Intensifies
Regulatory action has stepped up across the country, with several businesses facing significant penalties or closure orders in recent months:
- Luton: Pink Eatery Ltd was fined £18,000 and its director, Syed Hussain Raza Bukhari, was fined £640. The penalties followed October 2024 inspections at the Chai Link kiosk and Pizza Link in Luton Point, where officers found dead rodents and droppings inside spice and onion crates.
- Portsmouth: The Paanchi takeaway on Fratton Road was closed after a routine hygiene inspection revealed a severe mouse infestation. Environmental health officers found droppings close to cooking equipment and open food. Council member Lee Hunt stressed that all food businesses must maintain pest-proof premises to protect public safety.
- Bedford and Warrington: In June 2026, inspectors gave the Good Chef Chinese Takeaway in Bedford a two-star hygiene rating, indicating improvements were needed. The Top Chef Chinese takeaway in Warrington received a one-star rating following an assessment of its food handling and cleanliness.
These enforcement cases show how quickly hygiene failures can escalate into costly penalties. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, every UK employer has a legal duty to maintain safe premises. A free toolkit with nine practical tools — including director liability guides and compliance checklists — helps you stay on the right side of the law. Download the free Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Toolkit
Raw Milk Producer Under Scrutiny
In East Sussex, raw milk producer Hook & Son, based at Longleys Farm in Hailsham, received a low food hygiene rating of 1 in March 2026 — matching its previous rating from September 2025. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) cited concerns over cleanliness and food safety management. Business owner Steve Hook suggested the rating reflected prejudice against raw milk production, but the FSA denied any bias in its inspection process.
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