Coventry food business fined for mice and rat infestation

A COVENTRY food business has been fined £3,750.30 for a mice and rat infestation.

Mr Mehmet Turudioglu, the operator of Istanbul-based food business 17 Butts, pleaded guilty to five hygiene offenses at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 July.

He was fined £768 and ordered to pay total costs of £2,675.30 as well as a victim surcharge of £307.

Food and safety officers visited the business unannounced for an assessment in February 2023 – the business agreed to voluntarily close as rodent activity in food preparation areas is considered an imminent health risk.

After the pest control treatment was carried out, the business was able to reopen.

Mr Turudioglu pleaded guilty to the following offences: failing to implement adequate pest control procedures, failing to keep the premises clean, failing to ensure that the construction of the premises allowed for good hygiene practices including protection against contamination, failure to protect food from contamination and failure to put in apply, implement and maintain procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles.

The business underwent a surprise inspection again in February 2024 where standards were found to be good and the business maintained its food hygiene rating of 5 (very good).

Davina Blackburn, the City’s strategic lead for regulation and communities, said: “We take a phased approach to enforcement and, wherever possible, officers will always try to work with businesses who provide advice and guidance where possible, but they will take the necessary measures if they feel there is a health risk.

“On this occasion, the closure of the premises was necessary to ensure that consumers are not at risk and the business has been working with the team to make the necessary changes to reopen the premises as soon as possible.”