Filthy supermarket full of decomposing rats that gnawed through food packaging

Gorton Superstore, in Greater Manchester, was found by environmental health inspectors to have dead and decomposing rodents lying around as well as packages which had been gnawed open by rats

A supermarket has been hit with a hefty fine after being found with packaging gnawed open by rats along with dead and decomposing rodents left lying around.

Gorton Superstore, in Hyde Road, Gorton, Greater Manchester, was described as having a 'active rat infestation' in 'dirty' surroundings, as well as unemptied traps throughout the shop, by health bosses during a recent inspection.

At a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, owner Christian Ogbonna, 40, pleaded guilty to six contraventions of food and hygiene regulations in what council leaders called a 'disgraceful breach of food safety standards'.

The offences came to light following an inspection of the supermarket in August 2023 by the Council’s Environmental Health Team. During their visit they discovered a 'host' of unacceptable violations of basic food safety and hygiene standards.

"There was an active rodent infestation, with a number of dead and decomposing animals found throughout the premises, as well as in un-emptied traps," the Council said, reported the Manchester Evening News.

"Gnawed food packaging was also found, as well as the overall premises being dirty, with poor hygiene practices demonstrated throughout. There was no pest control contract in place, there was no food management documentation that would set out controls for cleaning and stock rotation."

Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This was a disgraceful breach of food safety standards and one that deserved to be met with the full force of the law. These conditions could have led to extreme harm and the size of the fine imposed demonstrates just how serious this case was.

“I hope that the owner takes responsibility for what they have done and commits to making immediate and drastic improvements to the way they run their business. I hope this sends a clear message on just how seriously the Council treats food safety and hygiene violations and how vital it is that standards are maintained across this industry.”

When sentencing, the Magistrates fined the business £12,000 for the offences and they also ordered it to pay costs of £3,180. Ogbonna, from Manchester, in his capacity as company director was also fined £1,066, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £426 and pay costs of £3,180.