Rodent footprints were also found on dusty cans of food at the Fighting Cocks SupermarketEnvironmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Rat droppings were found inside a filthy city supermarket, along with gnawed food, packaging, fixtures and fittings.Rodent footprints were also found on dusty cans of food at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket in Dudley Road, Wolverhampton.The business, which had a ‘significant rat infestation’ has now been ordered to pay more than £8,000 after failing to comply with food hygiene regulations.READ MORE: Road sealed off amid ‘criminal damage’ investigationA routine food hygiene inspection was carried out by City of Wolverhampton Council’s environmental health officers in January 2025.Evidence of rodent activity was clear across a number of areas of the sales floor and warehouse.Other issues included poor warehouse control making pest issues difficult to identify, and a lack of suitable handwash provision at the butchery counter and WC.Raw and ready-to-eat food had been stored together in the butchery fridge, where mouldy food containers were also discovered.The inspection also uncovered a dirty WC cubicle and the display of the wrong food hygiene rating sticker.The premises was closed immediately, and it was only allowed to re-open once it was determined that the immediate risk to health had been removed.Environmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Fighting Cocks Supermarket pleaded guilty to three breaches of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on June 24.It admitted it had failed to protect food against any contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, failed to have adequate procedures in place to control pests, and failed to ensure the premises was kept clean and maintained in good repair and conditionThe business was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,200 plus £4,000 in costs.Environmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Following the hearing, Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “This is a highly concerning case in which a business knowingly placed its customers at risk.“Poor food hygiene can lead to serious illness and, in this instance, the company showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that trusted it.“When food businesses fail to meet the required standards, our environmental health officers will take action and provide guidance on the improvements needed.”This was the case with Fighting Cocks Supermarket, and we will continue to monitor the premises to ensure compliance and protect the public.“We are committed to safeguarding residents and consumers, and this case should serve as a clear reminder that we take food hygiene standards extremely seriously in Wolverhampton.”
Inside filthy city supermarket fined £3k over ‘rat droppings’ and ‘gnawed food’
