A Mansfield food distribution premises has been forced to close and pay court costs after ‘an imminent health risk’ was discovered by council officers.
A hygiene emergency prohibition order was issued to Lucky Dip at 1B Brunt Street by Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday 13 July.
It follows a series of visits on the 10 and 11 July by Mansfield District Council’s Environmental Health Officers after a complaint was made about the condition of the shop premises.
Following the inspections, officers found faecal matter and sewage being discharged from a defective toilet into the ground floor food production and labelling area of the premises.
This finding led the officers to conclude that the premises were an imminent health risk.
Although efforts were made to clean the area, officers deemed these measures insufficient and unsatisfactory and had serious concerns about pallets of food products being stored in the contaminated area.
The council served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on 11 July to stop the immediate use of the ground floor production area.
On 13 July, a hearing was held at Mansfield Magistrates Court, where the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was awarded along with costs to the council totalling £1,563.75.
This means that the business now cannot operate using the ground floor of the premises until the council issues a Certificate of Satisfaction.
This can only happen once officers have confirmed that the imminent health risk no longer exists following thorough inspections and sampling.
Councillor Angie Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Health and Safer Communities, said: “This prohibition notice and award is a triumph for the Environmental Health team at Mansfield District Council. I would like to thank them for their swift and professional response throughout.
“It was a shocking case of poor hygiene and a huge health risk for customers and the people working there.
“This case highlights business owners’ responsibility for health and safety and that unacceptable hygiene standards are fully investigated and enforced by Mansfield District Council where there is a risk to public health.”
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