Oxford City Council took urgent enforcement action to protect public health by closing Peppers Burgers after officers identified an imminent risk of injury to health.
Following an inspection by the Council’s Business Regulation Team, the Magistrates Court served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order (HEPO) on the premises due to extremely poor hygiene conditions and a serious mouse infestation throughout the business. During the inspection, officers found:
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evidence of a widespread mouse infestation across the premises
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a dead mouse located behind a freezer in a food storage room
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large quantities of mouse droppings in the kitchen, food storage areas, food preparation rooms and the customer lobby
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mouse droppings found under sinks and on shelving used to store food wrapping paper
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extensive contamination risks to both food and food packaging stored in affected areas.
The premises were found to be insufficiently pest-proofed. Large gaps around pipework, skirting boards and in the timber flooring were identified, allowing rodents easy access throughout the building. Officers also found:
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no food-safe sanitiser or disinfectant available on site
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no food safety management procedures, records or documentation
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no evidence of routine pest control checks or a professional pest control contract.
As a result of these conditions, any food prepared or stored at the premises was considered to be at high risk of contamination.
The food business operator, Mr Ali Ashraf, did not demonstrate an understanding of the seriousness of the risks identified. The premises were not voluntarily closed after the initial inspection.
The Magistrates Court commented that the the quality evidence presented by the Business Regulation Team were of “the standards we appreciate”. They added that Mr Ashraf's behaviour during the inspection was not acceptable and the Team are here to protect and serve the public.
Mr Ashraf claimed that the mice were“seasonal and that they came every year.
Following subsequent visits and advice from Oxford City Council’s Food Safety Officers, the premises are now broadly compliant and have re-opened.
Comment
“The conditions found at this premises were wholly unacceptable and posed a serious risk to public health. Businesses serving food in Oxford have a legal and moral responsibility to maintain rigorous hygiene standards. We will not hesitate to take immediate and robust action where there is an imminent risk to residents and visitors, and where operators fail to recognise or act on serious food safety breaches.”
Councillor Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford
Oxford City Council takes food safety extremely seriously and will continue to use its enforcement powers to protect the public.
