A Dagenham bakery shut down after health inspectors found “a kitchen full of cockroaches” has been fined more than £1,500.
Food safety officers saw the insects crawling on London Wholesale Bakery’s equipment, walls, floors and ceiling during an inspection on Thursday.
The infestation posed a significant risk of food contamination and to public health, they said.
The premises in Coppen Road were closed and company representatives forced to appear at Barkingside Magistrates Court, where magistrates issued them costs totalling £1,560.
The bakery has now called in exterminators and can only re-open if council officers agree it no longer poses a threat to public health.
“If you want to run a business in the borough then you have to play by the rules,” said Barking and Dagenham Cllr Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community.
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