Reading warehouse operators fined thousands for rat infestation and food hygiene breaches
SERIOUS health risks identified at a food warehouse in Reading have led to its operator being fined more than £2,000 after prosecution by Reading Council’s Food and Safety team.
Kingdom Family Limited operates a food warehouse at Unit 55, Milford Road, storing frozen and dry goods for retail shops in Reading.
In early 2024, officers seized an estimated 400kg of illegal meat products in unlabelled black bin bags stored in a walk-in freezer in a warehouse managed by Kingdom Family Ltd.
A number of food businesses were found to be operating without registration with the Food and Safety team.
Reading Magistrates’ Court approved the condemnation of the unsafe food, and Kingdom Family Ltd was ordered to pay over £6,000 in costs to the Council.
Then, in October 2024, during a routine inspection at the warehouse, Council Food Safety Officers discovered yet more untraceable meat, as well as severe and widespread rat infestation with large quantities of food gnawed and food contaminated with rat urine and faeces, including sacks of rice, corn dough, cassava flour and tinned goods.
Despite formal warnings, the food business operator failed to take adequate and timely action to address the infestation, dispose of contaminated stock, clean the premises or implement traceability measures.
Officers were denied access for follow-up inspections, prompting the Council to obtain a warrant in November to re-enter the premises. Continued evidence of rat activity and further contaminated food were found upon entry, as well as a further 68 sheep heads lacking health marks and in close proximity to food, posing a potential public health risk.
Food gnawed and contaminated by rat droppings.
The team immediately issued Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices (HEPNs) to businesses operating on site, formally closing the premises the same day, and all unsafe food was seized.
Rat droppings underneath food products.
Reading Magistrates upheld the Council’s actions, granting food condemnation orders and hygiene emergency prohibition orders due to the imminent risk posed to public health.
By December 2024, officers noted that adequate improvements had been made, and the warehouse was permitted to resume trade.
Officers identified continued structural issues and inadequate food safety management during a further inspection in April 2025, and on the same date, found frozen meat waste and prawns ready for disposal on the floor next to a toilet.
Black bag of unidentified, unlabelled meat
Sentencing took place at Reading Magistrates' Court on 18 May 2026. The company, Kingdom Family Limited and the sole director, Mr Ameyaw, both pleaded guilty to five food hygiene offences:
- 1) Failing to be able to trace food and feed
- 2) Placing unsafe food on the market
- 3) Failing to ensure the cleanliness of the premises
- 4) Not maintaining a Food Safety Management System
- 5) Not notifying Reading Borough Council of a Food Business Premises
The Magistrates imposed the penalties against Mr Ameyaw, and he was fined £2,300, ordered to pay the victim surcharge of £920 and to contribute towards the Council’s legal costs of £1,000.
The total sum owed by Mr Ameyaw to the court is £4,220.
Cllr Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Public Health and Education, said:
“We take breaches of food safety extremely seriously, especially where there is a clear risk to public health. In this case, despite repeated warnings and support from our officers, the operator failed to act, leaving us no choice but to intervene in the appalling conditions.
“Our officers acted decisively to protect residents, and we welcome the court’s support in holding those responsible to account. We will continue to monitor the premises closely and take further action where necessary to safeguard the community.”
Anyone concerned about safety or hygiene at a food business is encouraged to report them in confidence at https://www.reading.gov.uk/business/consumer-advice/food-safety/. Any businesses requiring guidance or support are also encouraged to contact the team for free initial advice.
ENDS