Sparkhill food trader hit with ban and £4,500 fine after mouse droppings found on premises

Left: Bashir Ahmed of Sparkhill.

The Birmingham Mail reports Bashir Ahmed, owner of a family firm has been banned from running a food business after mouse droppings were discovered on his Birmingham premises. It is the third time in four years that Mushtaq’s Ltd on Stratford Road, Sparkhill, has been prosecuted for food hygiene offences.

Owner Bashir Ahmed, who has been in business for 40 years, was also fined £4,500 and ordered to pay £1,624 costs after admitting four charges of failing to comply with the provisions of the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 in a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that Environmental Health officers from Birmingham City Council found faeces among open food containers during an inspection at the Asian sweet and savoury foods manufacturer. Officers found mouse droppings on storeroom shelves containing open boxes of nuts and chocolate chips during a routine visit on January 19 last year.

They also discovered dirt and grease-encrusted floors and equipment, and spotted workers handing raw meat with unwashed hands while on a second inspection six months later. Ms Chris Howrie, prosecuting, said: “We would say that clearly Mr Ahmed is not capable of running a food business operation.” Read more