SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has appeared in court charged with a series of environmental health failures which, it is claimed, led to rodent problems at one of its biggest Suffolk stores.

Lizzie Parry

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has appeared in court charged with a series of environmental health failures which, it is claimed, led to rodent problems at one of its biggest Suffolk stores.

Suffolk Coastal District Council is bringing a total of eight counts against the retailer in relation to alleged environmental health failures at the Tesco Extra store in Martlesham Heath.

The charges include failing to have adequate procedures in place to deal with pests and failing to “pest proof” against rodents.

The council also claims there were rodent droppings on the floor in the deli area, the shop floor and warehouse.

Each of the eight charges carries a potential fine of up to £5,000.

Tesco representatives appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday, but no pleas were entered and the case was adjourned until September 15.

A spokesperson for Tesco declined to comment on the case.

Full list of offences:

1. That between April 30, 2007 and June 13, 2007, the accused failed to ensure that adequate procedures were in place to control pests, namely mice, at food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham.

2. That between April 30, 2007 and August 15, 2007, the accused failed to ensure that the construction of food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham permitted good food hygiene practices in that the said premises were not adequately pest proofed against rodents.

3. That on April 30, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham were kept clean in that there was an accumulation of food debris and potential nesting material beneath display units on the shop floor, grease and rodent droppings on the floor in the delicatessen area and rodent droppings in the warehouse.

4. That on May 1, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra, Martlesham were kept clean in that there were accumulations of food debris, potential nesting materials, rodent droppings and milk residues on the shop floor and rodent droppings in the warehouse.

5. That on May 18, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham were kept clean in that there were accumulations of food debris on the floor in the bakery.

6. That on May 21, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson Road, Martlesham were kept clean in that there was a build up of food debris on the floor in the bakery.

7. That on June 28, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra, Anson, Martlesham were kept clean in that there was an accumulation of litter and grease on the floor around the waste compactor, below the compactor chute and around the waste container in the yard.

8. That on July 13, 2007 the accused failed to ensure that food premises at Tesco Extra were kept clean in that there was waste and debris on the floor below the compactor chute and below the compactor in the yard.