Food supplier fined £18,335 over cat faeces in Enfield warehouse
Enfield Council environmental health officers found contamination posing risks of E.coli and salmonella at Brimsdown premises.
Incident → evidence → outcomeFoodArt UK Limited, a food and drink storage company, has been fined £18,335 after admitting to four food hygiene offences. The company operates from a warehouse on Lockfield Avenue in Brimsdown, Enfield. Environmental health officers from Enfield Council discovered significant contamination during inspections in January and February 2025.
Serious hygiene failings uncovered
During an inspection on 28 January 2025, council officers found substantial amounts of cat waste, including faeces and urine, in the warehouse where food products were stored. The contamination was present on floors in aisles containing drinks and on packaging, including open crates of bottled water. The company breached regulations requiring food premises to be kept clean, maintained in good repair, and to prevent domestic animals from accessing foodstuffs.
The storage of drinks bottles in aisles where cat faeces were found increased the risk of contamination. Due to the immediate danger to public health, the business agreed to a voluntary closure for thorough cleaning and disinfection. A follow-up inspection on 17 February 2025 revealed further issues with cat faeces, leading to another closure for cleaning and staff training.
Risks and court proceedings
Cat faeces can carry pathogens such as E.coli, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis, the latter of which can cause serious health problems including miscarriage and organ damage in vulnerable individuals. Enfield Council pursued legal action due to the severity of the findings. FoodArt UK Limited pleaded guilty to the four charges at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. The court imposed a fine of £12,000 and ordered the company to pay £6,355 in costs, totalling £18,335.
Elisa Morreale, Enfield Council's cabinet member for licensing, stated that the environmental health officers identified a significant danger to public health. She added that the council took immediate action to temporarily close the premises to ensure a deep clean and protect residents. Ms Morreale emphasised that the court's fine reflected the seriousness of the case and reminded businesses of their duty to maintain pest control and premises cleanliness. She affirmed the council's commitment to taking strong action against businesses that endanger residents' health.
Following the council's prosecution, FoodArt UK Limited has since reopened and resumed trading from its Brimsdown warehouse.
Questions this report answers
01Why was FoodArt UK Limited fined?
FoodArt UK Limited was fined £18,335 for four food hygiene offences. Enfield Council environmental health officers found cat faeces and urine in the company's Brimsdown warehouse in January and February 2025, posing risks to public health.
02What risks did the cat faeces pose?
The contamination from cat faeces posed risks of serious illnesses including E.coli, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can lead to miscarriage and organ damage in vulnerable individuals.
03What has happened since the court case?
Following the prosecution and fine, FoodArt UK Limited has cleaned and disinfected its Brimsdown warehouse. The company has since resumed trading from the premises.
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