The M40 Welcome Break services on Thame Road were visited by South Oxfordshire Environmental Health Officers on Monday, May 20. This was prompted after they received a complaint from a member of the public who had visited the service station at junction 8a near Wheatley. During their investigation, officers found evidence of a cockroach infestation in the food preparation and servery areas of three outlets.
These included KFC, The Good Breakfast/Chopstix and Starbucks where a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to the customers’ health was posed. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was placed on the service station the very same day meaning the impacted units at the site had to close immediately. On Friday, May 31, during a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Rana reviewed the evidence and statements provided by the officers.
She confirmed the imminent health risk on May 20 and was satisfied that the risk to health remained in place. The judge then made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and also awarded full costs of just over £3,000 to South Oxfordshire District Council. A criminal investigation into any food hygiene offences committed is ongoing and the three stores will remain closed until officers deem the health risk has been removed.
Paul Fielding, head of housing and environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “When we received the initial complaint, our environmental health officers took immediate act.