Bakery served with £150,000 fine after mashing potato with a tennis racket
A bakery in north London has been fined more than £150,000 for a string of hygiene failings which included mashing potatoes with a tennis racket.
Edmonton-based Doce Bakers & Sweets, which was co-located with Sweet Mahal, was found to have filthy premises that posed a risk to the public.
Enfield Council inspectors discovered an ongoing pest infestation problem, while floors and equipment were dirty and a tennis racket was being used to mash potatoes.
The inspectors visited on 28 January 2016 followed by an unannounced visit on 4 July 2016, when they found cleanliness had declined further.
During sentencing at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court Doce Bakers and Sweets and Sweet Mahal were ordered to pay a total of £152,823 in fines for 10 health and safety offences.
Enfield Council's cabinet member for environment, councillor Daniel Anderson, said: "Enfield Council has a duty to protect our residents and we won't hesitate to act wherever and whenever necessary to protect them against any risk to their health.
"We take a dim view of any food outlets whose premises aren't kept in an hygienic state for the manufacture of food. Our residents have the right to expect the food they buy to be safe to eat."
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