A Belfast bakery has been fined £2,250 after health inspectors discovered an “active mouse infestation” at their premises last March.
The prosecution against Aleksandar’s Bakery Ltd of Springbank Industrial Estate was taken by Belfast City Council, with the fine issued on Tuesday.
During a routine hygiene inspection on March 24, 2023, environmental health officers found the premises was not pest proofed, had an active mouse infestation and was not cleaned or maintained to an acceptable standard.
The premises was then rated ‘one’ to show that “major improvement” was needed to comply with food hygiene requirements.
Agreeing to close voluntarily, the business opened three days later after officers were satisfied that sufficient measures had been taken to remove the imminent risk to public health.
After the fine and paying £127 in legal costs, the premises has since been re-rated after a further inspection where hygiene conditions within the premises were deemed to be at a satisfactory standard and with a food hygiene rating of four (good) issued.
The company has been contacted for a response.
Further information about the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is available at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/food
