A cake manufacturing business and its manager have been fined more than £10,000 following a successful prosecution by Enfield Council.
Sugarbake (London) Limited, based in Nobel Road Edmonton (N18), pleaded guilty to six food hygiene offences after council environmental health officers uncovered serious failings during an inspection on 29 September 2025.
The company breached requirements to keep their food premises clean, to have pest control procedures in place, maintain repair and condition, and to ensure utensils and equipment were clean.
Food chillers were found to be in poor maintenance, sink taps were dirty and rusty, food spillages on floors, mould, damp, and condensation on the ceiling and structural damage to the building.
Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises including the food production area, food storage area, and staff kitchen.
Droppings were also seen on shelving and on the floor posing the risk of contamination from pests, along with open bags of food and ingredients stored in dirty containers.
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.
Sugarbake and its manager Mr Ismail Colak pleaded guilty to charges presented at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in North London on 6 August 2026.
Sugarbake was fined £4,000 by a judge with a victim surcharge of £300 and ordered to pay Council prosecution costs of £2,674.48. Total: £6,674.48.
Ismail Colak was fined £750 by a judge with a victim surcharge of £300 and ordered to pay Council prosecution costs of £2,674.48. Total: £3,724.48. Grand total: £10,698.96.
Due to the imminent risk to and danger to public health, the business accepted the recommendation from environmental health officers to voluntarily close immediately on 29 September 2025, as the premises was an imminent risk to health due to mice droppings and poor cleaning and maintenance.
Cllr Elisa Morreale, Cabinet Member for Licensing at Enfield Council, said: “Maintaining hygiene practices in premises where food is handled and prepared is not optional.
“The seriousness of this case is highlighted by the fine imposed by a judge in court who described the condition of the premises as appalling.
“The failings uncovered by our officers were way below expected standards, and food handling practices demonstrated an unacceptable risk.
“The Council will always take firm enforcement action when protecting public health.”
Find out more about the council's food hygiene inspections here.
Picture - Three cooling racks found by environmental health officers in the front storage area with open and unprotected baked pies, exposing them to contamination from pest activity identified in this area of the premises.
The offences committed by Sugarbake were in contrary to Regulation 19(1) and (2) of the Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.