Poundland hit with hefty fine as nibbled Chocolate Santas and mouse droppings found on shop floor
CHOCOLATE Santas at Poundland had been gnawed by rodents, a court was told yesterday.
Mouse droppings were found on shelves, boxes of chocolates and sweets and a trolley used for food.
The discount store faces large fines after pleading guilty to eight food hygiene offences at two stores in Birmingham city centre.
The city council carried out checks in February and September last year.
Rodent excrement was found on food items during the September inspection at the Corporation Street store.
Council inspectors also discovered a hole used by rodents near pipework.
Poundland admitted breaching EU food and hygiene regulations including its failure to prevent contamination from happening.
Adjourning the case at the city’s crown court, Judge Richard Bond said: “I’ve been in Poundland on many, many occasions.
“We are looking at a well-known company where the fines could be quite high.”
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The case has been paused until January 20 to give the retailer time to look over documents provided by the prosecution.
Up and down the country pest controllers have been kept busy.
Last month, superstore Asda was fined more than £600,000 after pest controllers were called out 72 times to sort out a mouse infestation at a West London store.
A shopper from the same store fell ill from eating a bread roll covered in mouse poo.
Yesterday a fast food in Manchester was closed down and whacked with a £3,000 bill after inspectors discovered mouse droppings, rats on counters and rotting food.
