The owner of one of Britain’s filthiest supermarkets has been taken to court after an inspection found a series of horrifying violations.
Shuifa Zhang, 54, owner of Shunfa Supermarket has been fined by Swansea Magistrates Court after a dead bird and the remains of a rat were found in his storeroom.
Mr Zhang admitted six food hygiene offences at the property in Swansea, Wales, after inspectors dubbed it an “imminent risk to public health.”
Pictures of the property show a dead rat close to food stock and the corpse of a bird under a table.
Alongside the animal remains was an open taken of crustaceans a rusty utensil used for scooping up crabs.
Furthermore, dirty wet newspapers were found in a container of crayfish while the same animals were also found in a walk-in chiller.
Environmental health officers found holes in the floor which pests were exploiting to gain access to the supermarket.
After visiting the business in August last year, the officers concluded that the shop “posed an imminent risk to public health”.
Following the verdict, Mr Zhang agreed to voluntarily close the shop and was issued notices requiring him to make the shop safe.
However, WalesOnline reported that Mr Zhang later breached these orders, forcing the council to prosecute him.
He has been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £960, £2,400 in fines, and £2,640 in prosecution costs.
In a statement, councillor David Hopkins said: “The conditions witnessed by our environmental health officers raised significant concerns for public health and thankfully, the shop closed immediately so we could protect customers against serious risks to their health.
“It’s completely unacceptable for owners of food-related businesses to operate in this manner.”
Cllr Hopkins added: “Regular inspections by our food hygiene team along with training for staff means that these businesses should know exactly what standards they need to meet to continue trading.
“We will continue to do everything we can to prevent businesses like this one from trading in the conditions they were and risking serious problems for customers that consumed food from their premises.
“Thankfully, the majority of food businesses in Swansea operate in a way that satisfies existing food hygiene legislation and many go over and above to achieve the highest standards.
“Those that don’t will face further action from our officers, who are there to protect consumers.”
