A leading hotel in Birmingham was fined £120,000 at the end of January due to poor hygiene standards and an infestation of mice in the hotel’s kitchen. A local EHO visit uncovered numerous evidence of mice droppings in the kitchen and bar areas of the hotel, as well as a general failure to maintain premises.
This case is a strong reminder of the importance of maintaining control over hygiene standards and the necessity of pest control. Failure to prevent hygiene breaches as a result of pest infestation can prove highly costly for businesses in terms of financial penalties, health of employees and guests and, ultimately, their reputation.
Pest Control
Therefore, it is essential that any business within the food and drink industry incorporate pest control as a key part of their safety management programme. There are a number of preventative measures that can be implemented to reduce the risk of pest infestations:
• Enlist the assistance of a specialist in pest control
• Regularly inspect premises for an indication of infestation, with particular attention to the kitchen, food stores and waste storage areas
• Maintain records of the inspections, findings and any action taken to treat an infestation
• Act quickly in response to reports from guests or staff and control potential pest issues effectively
As with all areas of food safety, the cost of compliance far outweighs the cost of negligence. With the introduction of stricter regulations and harsher fines, it is more important than ever to ensure your business takes action to ensure hygiene standards are maintained.
For advice on how your business can improve its hygiene procedures and prevent pest infestations, talk to an expert on 08450 267 745, or submit an enquiry below. Our goal is to provide genuinely simple safety solutions that are tailored to each client.