A company that stored food and drinks in a warehouse contaminated by cat faeces, urine and associated bacteria has been fined more than £18,000 following a successful prosecution by Enfield Council.
FoodArt UK Limited, based in Lockfield Avenue, Brimsdown, pleaded guilty to four food hygiene offences after council environmental health officers uncovered serious failings during inspections in January and February 2025.
The company breached requirements to keep their food premises clean, maintain repair and condition, and to ensure domestic animals were kept away from foodstuffs.
Due to the severity of the case, the Council deemed it in the public interest to follow up with legal action and issued court proceedings.
FoodArt UK Limited pleaded guilty to four charges at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in north London on 14 May 2026.
A fine of £12,000 was ordered by a judge with a victim surcharge of £2,000 and full Council prosecution costs of £4,355.55. Total: £18,335.55.
During the Council’s first inspection on 28 January 2025, officers discovered significant quantities of cat faeces around the warehouse where food was stored.
The contamination included faeces, urine, and bacteria on the floor in aisles where child-appealing drinks were stored, and on packaging that consumers may have handled and drunk from directly, including open crates of bottled water.
The surfaces on the premises had been walked across and sprayed by cats, that would generally not be visible on packaging.
Drinks bottles were improperly stored and had fallen into the aisles where cat faeces were found, increasing the risk of contamination.
Due to the imminent risk to and danger to public health, the business accepted the recommendation from environmental health officers to voluntarily close immediately for cleaning and disinfection.
When officers returned to the premises on 17 February 2025, to follow up the previous inspection, they found continued issues with cat faeces in the food warehouse. The premises was again closed for cleaning and staff training.
The risks associated with cat faeces include E. coli, salmonella and toxoplasmosis which can cause miscarriage and damage to human organs in vulnerable people.
Cllr Elisa Morreale, Cabinet Member for Licensing at Enfield Council, said: “Our environmental health officers discovered a significant danger to public health, when they visited the company’s warehouse in Brimsdown which is not acceptable.
“We took immediate action and temporarily closed the premises down, for the owners to deep clean the areas identified to protect human health and help keep our residents safe.
"The fine imposed by the judge in court justifies the seriousness of this case.
“Business operators in Enfield are reminded of their responsibilities to ensure pest control measures are in place, and to regularly clean and maintain their premises.
“We won’t hesitate to take robust action against any business in the borough who breaks the law and puts our resident’s health at risk.”
Find out more about the council's food hygiene inspections here.