Newhaven bakery with '˜serious rodent infestation' fined for food hygiene offences

Falcone Baking Company, a wholesale food manufacturer in Pine Close, Avis Way, was found guilty of five offences relating to poor food hygiene and cleanliness within their premises. This resulted in a serious rodent infestation and mould on windows and walls.

Councillor Paul Franklin, Lead Member at Lewes District Council, said: “Lewes District Council officers inspect food businesses to ensure they understand and comply with food hygiene legislation.

“We regularly offer help and advice and go out of our way to make sure businesses are able to achieve and maintain the highest standards.

“It is critical we ensure the food residents buy is safe to eat and businesses must comply with food hygiene rules. In a minority of cases where hygiene rules are repeatedly ignored, the council will take enforcement action.”

Falcone Baking Company’s premises in Avis Way were closed following an emergency hygiene prohibition notice being served. The company pleaded guilty at Eastbourne Magistrates court to five food hygiene offences and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay the council’s full legal costs of £8,892.00 and a victim surcharge of £500 - a total of £14,392.00.

Ed Hele, service manager at Lewes District Council, said: “When food is exposed for sale in conditions that could place the public at risk, we have to act.

“We work hard to give Lewes District businesses the direction and information they need to comply with food hygiene and safety requirements, but when the advice and direction is ignored we have to respond to the offences seen.

“We take breaches of hygiene standards very seriously and will not hesitate to take action if we find any areas of concern.”

Lewes District Council works closely with food businesses throughout the district to ensure residents can have confidence the food they buy is safe to eat.

When poor hygiene practices are identified as a serious breach of food hygiene legislation and are not rectified, and the council’s advice ignored, it will take enforcement action.

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