A B&M store has been slapped with a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found pallets of food left outside for weeks and rat droppings inside the warehouse.
The discount retailer, on the outskirts of Dartford, was visited by food hygiene inspectors who seized packaged goods – including Terry’s Chocolate Oranges and Rice Krispies – which appeared to have been gnawed on by rodents.
Inspectors said food was left outside sometimes for weeks under tarpaulins. Picture: DBC
B&M apologised its “strict store standards” were not met but said it was an “isolated incident” and they are taking robust action to ensure there is no repeat issues.
It comes after food hygiene inspectors were sent to the premises in Princes Road by Dartford council on November 13 last year.
Just under two weeks later a letter was sent to the firm by the authority detailing the full findings, which resulted in a rating of one out of five.
Inspectors wrote that “food was not protected against contamination” because “the stock management in the warehouse appears to be inadequate and inefficient”.
They added: “Food is stored chaotically throughout the warehouse and is frequently stored with materials that may lead to the contamination of these food items, eg cleaning products, washing and laundry liquids, cosmetic products, pet food and hay.”
Dartford B&M’s warehouse was found disorganised and chaotic. Picture: DBC
Inspectors noted the disorganised stacking of pallets of goods meant lots of food ends up “left directly on the floor for a prolonged time.”
The environmental health officer also found pallets containing food were “left for days and even weeks (three weeks) outside under tarpaulins,” which managers told them was due to receiving too much stock from the main B&M distribution centre and having nowhere to store it.
They also slated the “poor standard of cleaning” and “excessive amount of food and debris dropped by customers” found underneath shelves.
“These articles will act as a food source for pests such as rats and mice,” they explained.
“Food damaged by rodents, damaged food containers, damaged pet food and old rat droppings were found in the main storage area.
Mini chocolate orange sweets were found assailed by rodents. Picture: DBCInspectors seized a pack of Rice Krispies Squares which were damaged by rodents. Picture: DBCThe milk fridge at Dartford’s B&M was described as “mouldy”. Picture: DBC
“The back of house milk fridge was visibly dirty and appeared to be mouldy.”
The inspectors say B&M had a routine pest control check at its site, near Brooklands Lake, just a week prior to the main health inspection on November 8, and the contractor reported no activity.
However, when the council’s officers visited they found rat droppings and food which had been damaged and eaten by them – even seizing some as evidence – including Rice Krispies Squares and Chocolate Orange Minis.
B&M, which opened at the former Homebase site in 2021, were ordered by the inspectors to remove all the droppings with a vacuum and clean and disinfect all surfaces, as well as to throw away any food whose packaging has been damaged by them.
They are also expected to pest proof several parts of the building such as openings in the walls.
The B&M store has been handed a one-star food hygiene rating
A spokesperson for B&M said: “At B&M we have strong policies to promote high food hygiene standards across our stores.
“We would like to apologise that our policies and strict store standards were not met in this case.
“While this was an isolated incident, we’re unhappy it occurred and have taken robust action to address the incident and overhaul standards at the store, including measures to help prevent such an incident happening in future.”