A CITY bakery has been ordered to close after food hygeine inspectors discovered evidence of a cockroach infestation and mice.

Bennetts Home Bakery, in Yeaman Place, Viewforth, was ordered to shut immediately after the inspectors found a build up of food debris and rubbish.

The inspection was carried out following an anonymous call from a member of the public.

As well as evidence of the vermin problem, the council's environmental health officers also found a general lack of cleanliness and pest proofing.

They feared the state of the shop meant there was an "imminent risk of food being contaminated" and an emergency prohibition notice was issued ordering the shop to close.

The shop was closed for ten days following the inspection on July 17th, and was only re-opened after environmental officers were satisfied it had been properly cleaned.

However, the shop's owners could find themselves in further trouble as a report is being compiled for the procurator fiscal which could lead to court action, and a possible fine.

The emergency closure was the second ordered in just two weeks by the council.

It follows the temporary closure of the Pine Tree Bakery, in Home Street, Tollcross last month.

It had such a bad mice and beetle problem that some of the pests had gnawed through a wooden door frame.

The bakery is also subject of a report being prepared for the procurator fiscal.

The Pine Tree Bakery dealt with its problems immediately and re-opened the next day.

Today, Bianca Bennett, spokeswoman for Bennetts Home Bakery and daughter of the owner Martin, defended the firm.

She said: "Many residents have backed us in our efforts to eradicate this problem, because many of them suffer the same problem. Any customer is welcome to comment on any of the massive improvements we've made.

"We will continue to meet the level of cleanliness that we have all worked so hard to achieve."

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said:
"This is the second case in only a matter of weeks where environmental health officers were forced to close bakeries as a result of poor food hygiene standards.

"Businesses should be aware that although our officers' primary role is to achieve high standards by a combination of education and assistance, those who are prepared to operate in flagrant breach of the law and who put health at risk will be closed down. This not only means a financial loss but possibly severe damage to their reputation too."

Cockroaches are capable of transporting various disease carrying organisms including staphylococcus and salmonella.

As well as their droppings, flakes of their skin and their dead bodies contaminate food, so any trace of them means serious action should be taken to make sure they are destroyed and the area is disinfected.

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Capital baker fined for filth in premises

THE owner of an Edinburgh bakery had his shop closed by environmental health officers after taking time off to care for his epileptic wife.

Martin Bennett, 38, admits he "took the eye off the ball" when his wife's condition deteriorated in 2006 and she could not help out with the business.

After a tip-off an investigation found dead cockroaches and mice droppings on the shelves and surfaces of the kitchen at Bennetts Home Bakery, in Yeaman Place, Fountainbridge. The owner of the family firm has now rectified the problems, spending £6000 on refurbishments and introducing a strict hygiene regime.

Bennett was fined £800 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting four food hygiene charges.

Source: Edinburgh Evening News [3], Thursday, 17th April, 2008