Real EHO Horror Stories!

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re taking a look at some real-life food safety horror stories that are far scarier than anything you’ll find in a haunted house.

From mouse infestations and filthy kitchen equipment to unsafe food temperatures and inadequate staff training, these recent prosecutions show just how quickly food hygiene failures can turn into a nightmare for food businesses.

The consequences are serious, too. Businesses have faced substantial fines, legal action and even immediate closure after Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) uncovered dangerous conditions.

While these cases make for a chilling read, they also offer an important reminder for every food business: food safety needs to be part of your everyday routine, not something you think about only when an inspection is due.

Take a look at the cases below, discover what went wrong and make sure your own food safety procedures are up to scratch.

Indian takeaway gets fine for poor hygiene – despite ‘best’ venue boast

A former food business that described itself as ‘the best Indian takeaway in Stafford’ has been ordered to pay more than £30,000 for a series of hygiene failures.

An inspection revealed a catalogue of poor hygiene issues including:

• dirty chopping boards used for preparing vegetables
• the standard of cleaning of kitchen surfaces was poor
• no hot water in the staff wash hand basin
• food storage containers were cracked and dirty

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Evidence of poor cleaning and maintenance – attracting pests and increasing the risk of food contamination.

Ealing Council prosecutes Southall takeaway over food hygiene breaches

A takeaway restaurant in Southall has been ordered to pay £6,800 after admitting serious food hygiene offences, with its director ordered to pay a further £2,020.70.

Officers found meat curries being kept at unsafe temperatures, risks of cross-contamination, poor cleaning, inadequate staff training and no properly functioning food safety management system.

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Masala Reef takeaway in Sheerness prosecuted following ‘serious food hygiene violations

Officers found serious violations of the food hygiene and safety provision on several visits, including an infestation of mice, poor standards of cleaning, and processes and equipment which could lead to contamination.

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Damaged ceiling – unsuitable in a food premises and filthy cleaning cloths – cross contamination.  

B&M fined £2 million following Birmingham City Council prosecution over serious food hygiene failings

Officers found widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises, including gnawed food products, mouse droppings and urine contamination on food packaging and shelving, inadequate cleaning standards and structural defects allowing pest entry. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served and the store was closed immediately.

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£34k penalty for Ole & Steen following council food hygiene investigation

Officers identified evidence of significant mouse activity throughout food preparation and storage areas, including fresh mouse droppings in multiple locations. Officers also identified a number of poor food hygiene practices that presented a risk of cross-contamination.

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Coventry food business sentenced for filthy conditions

During this visit officers found:

• Evidence of an extensive mouse infestation throughout the food preparation and servery areas.
• Dirty touch points such as light switches, taps and handles to equipment.
• Extremely poor cleaning throughout the food preparation areas.
• Dirty wash hand basins which were clearly not in use.
• Cooking equipment such as the fryers and griddle that were encrusted with grease and food debris and had clearly not been cleaned for some time.
• The ceiling had fallen down in the staff toilet.
• Sponges and scourers used for washing up food equipment that were covered in food and grease.

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Filthy hand wash basin – cross contamination risk, and evidence of poor cleaning and maintenance