Cakes recalled in emergency after rat infestation

Environmental health officers from Bolton Council discovered rat droppings and rotting food inside the premises of the Bolton cake factory.

In a statement the FSA said it had issued a Food Alert for Action because: “The Cake Factory and Clearance Cake Excess have rebranded and relabelled cakes, biscuits, sweets, puddings and tarts in premises with unsatisfactory hygiene conditions.”​

The FSA said the products had deteriorated, were mouldy, past their ‘best before’ date and contaminated as a result of rat infestation at the premises.

Fresh rat droppings​

When environmental health officers from Bolton Council discovered rotting food and fresh rat droppings inside the unit they gave it a zero food rating as unsuitable for use as a food business and closed it down.

A hygiene emergency prohibition order was granted at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on January 23.

The business partners, Paul Lax and Derek Gleave, did not attend the court hearing.

FoodManufacture.co.uk attempted to contact the partners but they were unavailable for comment.

The FSA has not been able to obtain full distribution details for the products involved. They are thought to have been sold via market stalls across the north west of England, including markets in Clitheroe, Blackburn and Manchester (Smithfields Market).

Further investigations are ongoing.

Health officials​

Local authorities in the north west of England are being asked to visit market stalls in their area that may sell any of the supply of cakes, biscuits, sweets, puddings and tarts from Cake Factory Outlet and Clearance Cake Excess.

Other local authorities are being asked to check for the supply of any of these products during routine visits to market trader stalls in their area.