Mitcham butcher's reopens after cockroaches found crawling on raw meat
A butcher's in Mitcham has reopened after Merton Council found cockroaches and mice living among the shop’s produce. Hashim Halal and Supermarket was closed throughout late September after a member of the public reported seeing cockroaches crawling on raw meat.
The public report prompted an official inspection on September 17, where Merton Council’s Environmental Officers discovered a range of unhygienic practices across the shop. Upon inspection of the premises at 241 London Road, Mitcham, officers found German cockroaches, mice and a lack of adequate cleaning.
In particular, roaches were found crawling around produce and near the butchery area. Mice droppings were also found near the butchery area and on cardboard boxes throughout the premises.
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In addition to these infestations, the halal butcher's and supermarket was found to lack adequate cleaning equipment and practices to keep the shop clean and sanitary. On its website, Merton Council warned of the importance of keeping these particular pests away from produce.
It read: “German cockroaches carry a wide range of disease-causing organisms, which can cause diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Transmission to humans can be caused by direct contact with cockroach faecal pellets, and dead and live cockroach bodies.
“It can also be transmissible by contamination of the food surfaces and food packaging which the cockroaches come into contact with. German cockroaches are known to carry a number of foodborne diseases such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeriosis, E coli, Typhoid and Giardia.
“Mice are virtually incontinent and produce between 80 and 120 droppings per day and their faeces, urine and saliva carry a wide range of disease-causing organisms, including many species of food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and viruses such as Leptospirosis.”
Inspectors warn of 'imminent risk to public health'
The conditions found in the shop were so severe that officers deemed them to be an ‘imminent risk to public health’ and as a result, a hygiene emergency prohibition notice was served closing the shop with immediate effect. This was quickly followed by a magistrates' court order, which forced the shop to remain closed until inspectors were satisfied the health risk condition had been removed.
The shop reopened on September 30, after the management undertook a deep clean and disinfection of of the premises. The shop also underwent enhanced pest control treatment and pest proofing to protect it from further infestations.
Merton Council officers are now satisfied it is safe, hygienic and ready for the public following a recent ‘thorough examination.’ When approached for comment, Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, told MyLondon: “I commend the work of our Regulatory Services Team and the swift action taken to protect the health of Merton residents.
“Keeping establishments free of pests that can cause serious disease is the bare minimum for traders in our borough, and the council will always enforce regulations which clamp down on businesses that don’t provide clean and safe spaces.”
MyLondon approached Hashim Halal and Supermarket for comment but they failed to respond in time for publication.
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