A north London cake manufacturer and its manager have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after mouse droppings were found throughout their Edmonton factory.
Sugarbake (London) Limited, which is based on Nobel Road in Edmonton, admitted six food hygiene offences at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 6 August, following an inspection by Enfield Council’s environmental health officers the previous autumn.
“Appalling” conditions found by inspectors
Environmental health officers who visited the premises on 29 September 2025 found mouse droppings in the food production and storage areas as well as the staff kitchen.
Food chillers were poorly maintained, sink taps were rusty, and there was mould and structural damage throughout the building. The business was found to have breached multiple food safety regulations, including failing to keep the premises clean, having no pest control measures in place, and using dirty equipment.
Officers described the conditions as an imminent risk and danger to public health.
Cllr Elisa Morreale, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for licensing, said: “Maintaining hygiene practices in premises where food is handled and prepared is not optional.”
She added: “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,” she said.
Guilty pleas at Highbury Corner
Both the company and its manager, Ismail Colak, pleaded guilty to the charges at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 6 August this year.
Sugarbake was fined £4,000, with a £300 victim surcharge and £2,674.48 in prosecution costs, bringing its total to £6,674.48.
Mr Colak was fined £750, with a £300 victim surcharge and £2,674.48 in costs, bringing his total to £3,724.48.
Penalties total £10,698.96
Combined, the penalties imposed on the company and its manager amounted to £10,698.96.
Enfield Council said it would continue to take firm action where public health is put at risk. The case follows other recent prosecutions in the capital’s courts, including TfL, which was prosecuted over a fatal bus crash in Walthamstow, while a Dagenham property owner was recently ordered to pay more than £29,000 following a planning breach conviction.
