A dead mouse was found under a takeaway fridge - its former boss has now been punished

The former owner of a takeaway has been fined after a dead mouse was found under a display fridge.

Mohammed Saffdar Chaudhary was prosecuted after inspectors made the grim discovery at Planet Spice on Chester Road in Stretford .

The offences occurred last year, and the takeaway is now under new ownership.  

When Environmental Health officers visited in March 2018 for a routine food hygiene inspection, they found the takeaway was dirty and had a mouse infestation.

Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises and near to food wrapping and delivery bags.

The dead mouse was found beneath a refrigerated display unit.

Officers also found dirty equipment such as kebab skewers and food containers in the refrigerators and a mouldy chopping board.

Inspectors found a mouse infestation and droppings (Trafford Council)

The officers immediately closed the business due to the risk presented to public health and it was given a food hygiene rating of zero.

A number of visits were undertaken before the business was allowed to re-open.

During a further revisit in June 2018, officers again found dirty conditions within the premises and dirty food contact equipment.

At this time, food handlers still had not received the appropriate food hygiene training.

Mohammed Saffdar Chaudhary has now pleaded guilty to seven food hygiene offences at Manchester Magistrates Court.

Mohammed Saffdar Chaudhary was prosecuted after a dead mouse was found in his former takeaway (Trafford Council)

These include failure to have adequate procedures in place to control pests, not maintaining the premises and equipment in a clean condition, failing to train food handlers and not having an adequate management system in place to control food safety risks.

He was fined £2,100, ordered to pay costs of £2,869.98 to the council and a £120 victim surcharge.

Councillor Mike Freeman, Trafford Council ’s Executive member for Public Safety, Governance and Reform, said: “What our officers found in the takeaway was absolutely shocking.

“Our residents deserve to know that the takeaways they use have high standards of hygiene. Prosecuting those who fail to meet those standards sends a message to shoddy owners and shows that we take this matter very seriously.”