Mouse infestation results in closure for primary school kitchen
Issued 22 July 2024
South Oxfordshire Environmental Health Officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the kitchen at Sonning Common Primary School following a mouse infestation.
The Notice means the kitchen had to close and will remain closed until officers deem the health risk has been removed.
The school remains open until the end of term (Wednesday 24 July) and is making alternative arrangements for catering until the issue is resolved.
Following a routine unannounced food hygiene inspection of the kitchen at Sonning Common Primary School on Monday 15 July, officers closed the kitchen when the imminent risk to the health was identified.
The food business operator, Kites Kitchen Limited, cater for children attending the primary school and also provide meals for the associated pre-school. Over 300 children a day are catered for, ranging in age from two to eleven years old. The kitchen previously held a food hygiene rating of 5 before the visit on 15 July.
Officers found mouse droppings during the inspection throughout the kitchen and food storage areas. A dead mouse was found amongst pan lids in an equipment cupboard next to the servery area.
It was evident measures were not in place, including the standards of cleaning, to protect food and food contact materials from contamination.
On Thursday 18 July, during a hearing at Southern Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court, Oxford, council officers presented evidence and confirmed the imminent health risk found on 15 July and at a further visit on 17 July. The court heard that children of such a young age are considered a vulnerable group for food poisoning and related health complications because their immune systems have not yet fully developed.
Magistrates were satisfied that the risk to health remained in place and made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order which prohibits the use of the kitchen and store areas, until the health risk has been lifted. The council was awarded full costs of just over £2,277.
Sonning Common Primary School has assured the district council that is working closely with Kites Kitchen to tackle the issue whilst ensuring pupils continue to have access to meals.
Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Our Environmental Health Officers and Litigation Lawyers took immediate action on uncovering such high levels of rodent infestation in the school kitchen environment. Our priority remains the welfare of the children and staff at this school. This level of contamination represents a serious risk of disease and food poisoning. I’m pleased that the Magistrates have endorsed the action our officers took. We will continue to closely monitor the situation until we are satisfied there is no longer a risk at this site.”
Council officers are in contact with the relevant authorities and will continue to monitor the situation until the risk has been removed at which point Kites Kitchen Limited will seek permission to re-open the kitchen.
Update – 1 August 2024
Following further checks by Environmental Health Officers from South Oxfordshire District Council, the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order on the kitchen at Sonning Common Primary School was lifted yesterday (Wednesday 31 July). The kitchen had been forced to close on Monday 15 July after officers found evidence of a mouse infestation during a routine unannounced food hygiene inspection.
Officers are now satisfied that the risk to public health has been removed meaning the kitchen can reopen (although it is currently not in use due to the school holidays). Another visit will be made at the start of the school term in September to ensure that the premises has remained pest free.
