Poundland has been fined £40,000 ($57,000) at Liverpool Magistrates Court after mouse poo was found near baby food in one of its shops.
The chain store is great for some things, bulk buying batteries, picking up a rare orange DAIM bar (apparently) or buying crap for around the house that you aren't bothered about breaking.
However, it might be worth thinking twice about buying food in one specific branch. How much nutritional value can there be in something that you get for a quid? Just sayin'.
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Well, now there's another reason to worry after environmental health officers found a load of mouse droppings near open packets of baby food, sweets, and other edible stock in a Poundland in Liverpool's St John's Shopping Precinct.
The store has now received a large fine for the two breaches of the Food Safety Regulations.
When the inspectors came around last year in October they found evidence of mice. The store manager agreed to close two aisles because of this, but when then they came back to check they found mouse droppings on other aisles that were not closed.
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Jonathan Ball, the prosecutor in the case for Liverpool City Council, said: "Further mouse droppings were subsequently discovered in and around other aisles, not previously covered by the prohibition notice."
They checked the store logs and found that seven mice had been caught in the time between checks.
Apparently the droppings were particularly noticeable near shelves that contained crisps, drinks, and - disgustingly - chocolate (which is not a mistake you want to make).
They also found poo behind freezers and near open packets of baby food.
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As a general rule, don't buy open packs of baby food. It's still pretty gross, though.
Mr Ball continued: "Officers were concerned to find widespread evidence of mouse activity throughout the store having provided advice just four days earlier that all areas ought to be checked thoroughly, and remedial action taken.
"Again, it was felt that there was a risk of harm however that risk was present throughout the premises on this occasion. Managers on site agreed to prohibit all food storage within the premises.
"Poundland were informed that the prohibition would remain in place until such a time that the issues were rectified and officers were satisfied that there was no longer an imminent risk to health."
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The shop has been plagued with mice problems for a while, and whilst the shop was obviously trying to keep them out the store failed pretty badly.
Ian Thomas, representing Poundland, said: "I hope I am not saying anything too controversial, but it is impossible to 100% pest proof a premises.
"That's not to suggest in any way that this is OK, but it is a fact of life and it is about putting in procedures to minimise the opportunity."
Tell that to the guys who thought they were eating chocolate raisins.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Food, UK News, supermarket, Poundland, Animals