Birmingham City Council’s Environmental Health department conducted an inspection at Ocean Blue Fish Bar, Erdington, Birmingham, on 7 January 2021. They discovered a number of food hygiene breaches at the property including the presence of rat droppings in the servery area and food preparation room.

The food business operator, Livia Bleoanca, of King Edwards Square, Worcester was prosecuted for four food safety and hygiene offences.  Guilty pleas were entered and Bleoanca was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs in the sum of £300 along with a victim surcharge of £40 at the hearing before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 8 February 2021.

Many food business operators are currently closed due to the ongoing lockdown and it is important when these businesses reopen that their focus is not solely on Covid Security measures. These businesses must also ensure that they have implemented the correct food safely management systems to enable their food businesses to reopen safely and operate in a compliant manner. 

There is likely to be considerable scrutiny of these businesses by Environmental Health Teams in respect of Covid Security measures as society reopens and these officers also have wide powers to investigate breaches of food safety and hygiene. 

If you or your business are faced with an investigation or prosecution for breaching food safety or food hygiene regulations, call our specialist Regulatory Partner, James Lowe, on 07833 240400 for advice and assistance.