A Birmingham sweet shop has been ordered to pay more than £30,000 in fines and costs after environmental health officers discovered serious hygiene failings, including rodent droppings, mould, and inadequate cleaning.
Inspectors Found Multiple Breaches
Birmingham City Council environmental health officers visited the premises, known as Sweet Treats, on several occasions between 2023 and 2024. They found evidence of a mouse infestation, with droppings on food preparation surfaces and in storage areas. Mould was also present on walls and ceilings, and there was a lack of proper handwashing facilities.
The shop, located on the High Street in Kingstanding, was found to have no adequate food safety management system in place. Staff were not trained in food hygiene, and records of temperature checks and cleaning schedules were not maintained.
Prosecution and Sentence
The owner, Mr. Asif Khan, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 15 November 2024. He pleaded guilty to 12 offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The court fined him £20,000 and ordered him to pay £10,000 in costs, plus a victim surcharge of £190.
District Judge Brown said the breaches were “serious and prolonged,” and that the public had been put at risk. She noted that Khan had been given multiple opportunities to improve conditions but failed to do so.
Council Statement
Councillor Barbara Dring, chair of the city council’s licensing and public protection committee, said: “This case shows that we will not hesitate to take action against businesses that flout food safety laws. The conditions in this shop were completely unacceptable and posed a real danger to customers. We hope this fine sends a clear message to all food businesses in Birmingham that they must comply with hygiene regulations.”
Impact on Customers
The shop sold a range of sweets, chocolates, and confectionery, popular with local children and families. Customers expressed shock at the findings. One regular, who did not wish to be named, said: “I used to take my kids there. It’s disgusting to think what we might have eaten.”
Environmental health officers said that while no illness had been directly linked to the shop, the conditions were such that there was a high risk of food contamination. They urged anyone who had bought food from the premises and felt unwell to seek medical advice.
Business Background
Sweet Treats had been trading for over five years and had previously received a food hygiene rating of 2 (improvement necessary) in 2022. The latest inspection in early 2024 resulted in a rating of 0 (urgent improvement necessary). The shop has since closed, and Khan has indicated he will not reopen.
Birmingham City Council’s environmental health team continues to inspect food premises across the city. In the past year, they have prosecuted 15 businesses for hygiene offences, with fines totalling over £250,000.
