Rat droppings and gnawed food packets leave shop with £9k fine

A shopkeeper and his company have been fined more than £9,000 after rat droppings and gnawed packaging were discovered at a convenience store.

A council inspection of Family Choice Mini Market, a Premier store in Ely, Cardiff, on 14 August 2024 uncovered a rodent infestation.

Jeyaratnam Pathmastri pleaded guilty at Cardiff Magistrates' Court to three food hygiene charges against him and his company, Family Choice T&N Ltd.

Food hygiene inspectors first flagged signs of an infestation in April 2024, but Cardiff council said the rat problem was not dealt with.

"Key actions to stop the infestation, such as sealing holes and improving cleaning throughout the store, had not been completed," the authority said.

Following the inspection in August, the shop was given a food hygiene rating of zero, meaning urgent improvement was required.

Family Choice Mini Market closed voluntarily and then reopened after cleaning and pest control work.

Three days later, the council said officers found fresh rat droppings, damaged food and poor conditions, leading to another voluntarily closure.

Further work was done, with the shop undergoing what the council called a "deep clean".

It opened again "once officers were satisfied that there was no longer an immediate risk to public health".

“It is essential that all businesses that sell food have effective measures in place to control pests," said Norma MacKie, the council cabinet member for shared regulatory services.

"The evidence of an active rodent infestation presented a significant risk of food contamination, which can have serious consequences for public health.

"It is vitally important that all business owners act quickly when dealing with pest control issues and ensure they meet all legal requirements to protect their customers."

Pathmastri was fined £490 and ordered to pay a £198 victim surcharge and £1,980 in costs, the council said.

Family Choice T&N Ltd was fined £3,600 and ordered to pay a £1,040 victim surcharge and £2,000 in costs.