Significant cockroach infestation closes food outlets at an Oxford Service station
KFC, The Good Breakfast, Chopstix and Starbucks are the businesses affected at the M40 Oxford Welcome Break Service Station, at junction 8a near Wheatley.
South Oxfordshire Environmental Health Officers have issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on an Oxfordshire service station following a significant cockroach infestation.
It means the impacted outlets at the site have closed immediately and will remain closed until officers deem the health risk has been removed.
The Notice was issued on 20th May following an emergency investigation after officers received a complaint from a member of the public who had visited the M40 Oxford Welcome Break Service Station, at junction 8a near Wheatley.
The Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued to business owners Welcome Break Group Limited and applies to the units in the main building occupied by KFC, The Good Breakfast, Chopstix and Starbucks.
During their investigation, officers found evidence of a cockroach infestation in the food preparation and servery areas of these outlets which posed a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to the customers’ health.
Cockroaches carry pathogens which can be passed to food, either directly or indirectly by cross contamination. They can contaminate foods, bottles, containers packaging and equipment and they spread diseases and food poisoning organisms which affect humans.
On Friday 31 May, during a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Rana reviewed the evidence and statements provided by the officers and confirmed the imminent health risk on 20th May and was satisfied that the risk to health remained in place.
She therefore made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and also awarded full costs of just over £3,000 to South Oxfordshire District Council.
Officers continue to work with the business and are monitoring these and the other units at the site and will take further action if appropriate.
Paul Fielding, Head of Housing and Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “When we received the initial complaint, our Environmental Health officers took immediate action and carried out an investigation at Welcome Break Services and served the hygiene emergency prohibition notice requiring the temporary closure of the affected businesses. The infestation presented a signification risk of contamination and a serious risk to public health and I’m pleased that the District Judge has now endorsed the action our officers took.
“Our officers will continue conducting regular inspections at the site in order to protect public health. They are also working with Welcome Break to address the issue and supporting their efforts to reopen the impacted units as soon as possible.”
A criminal investigation into any food hygiene offences committed is ongoing.