A UK store owner was fined a total of 26,899 pounds after rats were caught eating food on display in the store. The incident was first discovered in 2019 when inspectors from the Waltham Forest Council’s Environmental Health Office went to Sambros International, also known as Aryubi Express, located on Leyton High Road. The inspectors were horrified to find food spills, rat droppings, and gnawed food packaging all over the store.
Following the inspection, the officials rated the store’s food hygiene as one out of five and informed the company director, Mr. Ehsan Sherzad, in writing that the conditions were unsanitary. Despite being warned, the store owner failed to attend several hearings, and the case was finally handled in his absence on January 31, 2023.
The court ordered the store’s company to pay a fine of 25,000 pounds, costs of 1,709 pounds, and a victim surcharge of 190 pounds. Council officers told the court that an ongoing rat infestation was found on the premises, including food on display for sale that had been eaten by rats.
Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Waltham Forest Council, spoke about the case and stated that the large financial penalty should illustrate the severity of the offenses committed and the failure of the store owner to heed repeated warnings.
Limbajee went on to say that while the Waltham Forest Council always works with food service operators to improve their hygiene ratings, they will come down hard on those who brazenly disregard their public health obligations.
Unfortunately, this episode from the United Kingdom is not unique. Many food store videos featuring rat infestations have previously made the news, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper food hygiene standards. The hefty fine imposed on the store owner should serve as a warning to others who might be tempted to neglect their public health obligations.