Croydon food supplier fined £100,000 over ‘gnawed food’ and pests

Sarah Jenkins Author 2026-05-22 10:48 Updated: 17:40 3 min read

A crumpled pink snack bag and discarded food containers lying on a dirty, dusty floor.

Contents

Severe hygiene breaches at Coulsdon warehouse
National supply chain risks and court proceedings
Council enforcement and public safety reporting

A major food distributor based in Coulsdon has been ordered to pay more than £107,000 following a successful prosecution by Croydon Council for severe hygiene failures. K Veg Wholesale Ltd, located in Ullswater Crescent, was found to be operating in conditions that posed a significant risk to public health, with inspectors discovering widespread pest activity throughout its warehouse facilities.

The fine follows a series of inspections by the Council’s food safety team, which revealed a systemic failure to maintain basic hygiene standards. Officers documented pigeon droppings on food items, rat droppings in close proximity to produce, and evidence of gnawed food within the storage area. Despite the issuance of multiple hygiene improvement notices, the business failed to rectify the issues, leading to the substantial financial penalty handed down at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

Severe hygiene breaches at Coulsdon warehouse

The scale of the neglect at the Ullswater Crescent site was described as a direct threat to the safety of the UK food chain. Inspectors noted that very little evidence of care was taken to protect food from infestation. Beyond the presence of animal waste, the investigation confirmed that essential pest control measures were entirely absent, and basic hygiene practices were not being followed by staff.

Croydon food supplier fined £100,000 over 'gnawed food' and pests

During the court hearing, the District Judge highlighted the high probability that the conditions found at the premises would have led to consumers experiencing ill health. The gravity of the situation was compounded by the fact that the company ignored repeated warnings from local authorities. This level of negligence sits alongside other recent London-area enforcement cases, including local enforcement action in Croydon and a mouse infestation at a Hanwell pub, which also resulted in a significant five-figure fine for safety breaches.

National supply chain risks and court proceedings

Unlike a local retail outlet, K Veg Wholesale Ltd operates as a large-scale importer and distributor. The company supplies wholesalers, retailers, and independent shops across the United Kingdom. This national reach meant that the hygiene failings at the Coulsdon warehouse had the potential to affect a vast number of consumers far beyond the borders of Croydon.

Appearing on behalf of the business, company director Mr Vettivelu Thiraviyathasan pleaded guilty to the hygiene offences. The court ordered the company to pay a £100,000 fine, a victim surcharge of £2,000, and the Council’s full legal costs of £5,097.37. The total penalty of £107,097.37 reflects the court’s view on the severity of the risk posed to the public and the company’s failure to comply with statutory improvement notices.

Council enforcement and public safety reporting

Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, reaffirmed the local authority’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding food safety. He emphasized that while the food safety team works to support businesses in operating within the law, enforcement action remains the primary tool for those who ignore repeated warnings. The council maintains that residents and businesses across the country deserve to have confidence in the safety of the food being distributed from local hubs.

Environmental health officers continue to monitor food businesses across the borough to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. Residents who have concerns about the hygiene standards of any business operating within the area are encouraged to contact the food safety team directly via email at food.safety@croydon.gov.uk to report potential risks.

Source: Croydon Council