UMVA has learned that a high-end bakery chain, known for its premium Danish pastries, has been hit with a hefty fine after a shocking discovery at its flagship store in London.
The upscale bakery, Ole&Steen, was found to have a ‘serious’ mouse infestation at its Haymarket store, with inspectors discovering mouse droppings and other evidence of rodents in food preparation and storage areas.
According to information obtained by UMVA, environmental health officers from the local council carried out a routine inspection in January 2025, uncovering a range of glaring hygiene issues, including poor food hygiene practices that presented a risk of cross-contamination.
The bakery had already been warned about the problems by a pest control contractor before the inspection, but no effective action was taken, prompting authorities to take swift action.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to protect food from contamination risks associated with pest activity and poor hygiene controls, and was slapped with a £26,000 fine and ordered to pay £8,847 in costs.
A senior council official vowed to take a tough stance on food safety, saying: ‘We expect the highest possible food hygiene standards for our residents and visitors, and we will not tolerate a half-baked approach to safety.’
The official added that the prosecution would send a strong message that when it comes to public safety, authorities would not sugar-coat the facts.
In response, a spokesperson for Ole&Steen acknowledged that the conditions at the store had fallen below the standard expected by customers and the company itself.
The spokesperson said that the store was immediately closed to address the issue and re-opened two days later, and has since been awarded 4 stars for hygiene and cleanliness.
The company remains committed to upholding the highest food safety and hygiene standards across all of its stores, the spokesperson added.
