Customers expressed their unease after a Tesco Express store in Clapham Junction was found to have mouse droppings, prompting a call for improvements from local health authorities. Shoppers voiced their concerns about food safety in light of the store’s low hygiene rating of two stars.
Inspection Findings and Immediate Actions
Wandsworth Council reported that the Clapham Junction Tesco was required to make significant improvements following an inspection that revealed evidence of rodent activity. The inspection, conducted in November 2025, uncovered mouse droppings in the warehouse adjacent to the office and staff room.
After the inspection, the store temporarily removed the hygiene rating sticker, only to reinstate it after media inquiries highlighted the issue. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advocates for mandatory display of hygiene ratings in England, and Tesco stated its commitment to transparency regarding food safety ratings.
Details of the Inspection Report
The inspection report indicated that staff had not adequately monitored for mouse activity, as the droppings had gone unnoticed. Additionally, the store was criticized for failing to implement a food safety management system effectively, particularly concerning pest monitoring.
- Inspectors recommended enhanced staff training.
- They urged the store to seal gaps in walls, doors, windows, pipes, and drains to prevent pest entry.
- The report also noted the absence of hygienic hand drying materials in the staff restroom.
All findings were categorized as „immediate and ongoing“ legal requirements, yet a follow-up compliance visit two weeks later did not result in an improved rating.
Context of Food Hygiene Ratings in the UK
While most major supermarkets in the UK achieve the highest hygiene rating of five, some, including Tesco, have faced scrutiny over lower ratings. In a notable incident earlier this year, Iceland was fined £300,000 after inspectors discovered rodent damage to food packaging in one of its east London locations.
A previous undercover investigation by BBC London in 2024 revealed that numerous businesses were misrepresenting their food hygiene ratings, raising further concerns about consumer safety.
Customer Reactions and Company Response
Outside the Clapham Junction store, customers expressed their discomfort regarding the hygiene rating. One shopper, Rohan Graham, remarked, „I’m not very comfortable knowing I’ve just bought food from there – thankfully it’s packaged.“ Another customer, Angela Sankey, criticized Tesco, stating that the company „should be doing better.“
„We set ourselves the highest store standards and take hygiene extremely seriously, with comprehensive cleaning and food safety processes in place across all of our stores,“ said a Tesco spokesperson.
The spokesperson also noted that most Tesco locations maintain the highest hygiene rating and indicated plans to request a re-inspection of the Clapham Junction store.
Quellen: bbc.co.uk
Bildquelle: Foto von Georg Eiermann auf Unsplash
