A spate of food safety and licensing breaches has led to numerous penalties for Birmingham businesses in August. Cases heard at Birmingham Magistrates Court during dedicated ‘Corporation Court’ sessions revealed a series of serious violations, ranging from rodent infestations to the unlawful sale of alcohol to minors.
Among the establishments penalised was Mediterranean Pizza on School Road, where workers failed to provide ingredient details for certain menu items during a council inspection in September 2025. Although the company cooperated during the investigation, its representatives did not attend the court hearing on 13 August. Consequently, they were found guilty in absence, fined £4,000, and ordered to pay additional surcharges and prosecution costs totaling £3,537.35.
At 7 Star Food and Wine on Glenpark Road, a Trading Standards test purchase in January this year revealed that a 16-year-old was sold a bottle of WKD Blue vodka without being asked for identification. While the company acknowledged staff error and accepted responsibility, magistrates imposed a fine of £154 alongside a £62 surcharge and £1,000 in costs.
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Golden Kitchen on Ermington Way faced substantial penalties after environmental health officers found a live mouse caught on a sticky trap and evidence of mouse droppings throughout food preparation and packaging areas during a May 2025 inspection. As first-time offenders under new ownership, the company, which did not attend the hearing on 27 August, was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a £1,200 surcharge plus £1,591.35 in prosecution costs.
Separately, Sonali Supermarket on Lozells Road saw its director, Mohammed Shafique Uddin, admit to six charges relating to failure in rodent control and inadequate protection against food contamination. Sentencing was adjourned to 24 September to allow time for submission of essential documentation.
Finally, Al-Aqsa Halal Meat on Showell Green Lane received an immediate hygiene emergency prohibition order on 24 August due to the discovery of an active cockroach infestation and mouse droppings contaminating food containers. The butchers, rated only one star for food hygiene in May 2025, were ordered to remain closed until health risks are fully resolved.
These recent rulings underscore the ongoing challenges faced by food businesses in ensuring public health and compliance with safety regulations in Birmingham.