Iceland fined £300,000 following mouse infestation at Poplar store

KEY INFORMATION:

• Tower Hamlets Council has fined Iceland £300,000 following a mouse infestation at its Poplar store.
• Environmental Health Officers discovered gnawed food packets and droppings during a January 2024 inspection.
• The store was immediately closed under a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and reopened ten days later.
• Iceland pleaded guilty to three charges related to cleanliness and pest control at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
• A follow-up inspection in April 2024 resulted in the store achieving a Food Hygiene Rating of 5.

Tower Hamlets Council has successfully prosecuted Iceland Foods Ltd, resulting in a £300,000 fine for food hygiene failures at its Poplar branch.

The legal action follows an inspection of the store located in Vessey Path, E14, which took place in early 2024. Environmental Health Officers from the council's Regulatory Services visited the premises on 8 January 2024 after receiving a complaint from a member of the public regarding gnawed crisp packets. During the visit, officers observed evidence of a mouse infestation, including a live mouse running through the shop floor.

Inspection findings and emergency closure

Upon entering the store, inspectors discovered ready-to-eat food that had been contaminated by mouse droppings and damaged by gnawing. Due to the immediate risk to public health, the council issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice. This legal order forced the store to close its doors to the public immediately to address the lack of cleanliness and the presence of pests.

The council’s Legal Services Department subsequently brought a prosecution against the company for four offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. On 24 February 2026, Iceland pleaded guilty to three of these charges. These included failing to keep the premises clean and in good repair, as well as failing to implement adequate procedures to control pests within the building.

Court ruling and financial penalties

At a hearing held at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 10 March 2026, District Judge Buttar imposed a fine of £300,000. In addition to the primary fine, the company was ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £5,997 in legal costs. The total amount is payable by 17 April 2026.

The court heard that the store had remained closed for ten days in 2024 while extensive cleaning and pest-proofing measures were carried out. The local authority allowed the premises to reopen on 18 January 2024 once the immediate health risks had been mitigated and the infestation was brought under control.

Follow-up and current hygiene status

Following the remedial work, Tower Hamlets Council continued to monitor the store to ensure safety standards were maintained. A subsequent follow-up inspection conducted on 23 April 2024 confirmed that the required improvements had been sustained. As a result of this inspection, the Poplar store achieved a Food Hygiene Rating of 5, the highest possible score.

The council has stated that the prosecution serves as a reminder to all food businesses in the borough of their legal obligation to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety for their customers.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: Iceland fined £300,000 after mouse infestation at Poplar store.

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