Following further checks by Environmental Health Officers from South Oxfordshire District Council, the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order on the kitchen at Sonning Common Primary School was lifted on Wednesday, July 31.   

The kitchen had been forced to close on Monday, July 15 after officers found evidence of a mouse infestation during a routine unannounced food hygiene inspection.

Officers are now satisfied that the risk to public health has been removed meaning the kitchen can reopen (although it is currently not in use due to the school holidays). 

Another visit will be made at the start of the school term in September to ensure that the premises have remained pest-free.

As previously reported, a dead mouse and droppings were discovered among the equipment of a primary school's kitchen, forcing it to shut down.

South Oxfordshire District Council discovered the dead mouse amongst pan lids in a cupboard at Sonning Common Primary School upon a routine random inspection on Monday, July 15. Mouse droppings were also found throughout the kitchen and food storage areas.

The dead mouse was found close to the area of the kitchen used to serve food to pupils.

Following the mouse infestation, the authority issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice to the school – which meant that the kitchen had to remain closed until the health risk had been removed.

Kites Kitchen provides catering for the school, feeding daily more than 300 children aged between two and 11 years old.

The kitchen had previously received a highest hygiene rating of five prior to the most recent inspection. But the authority said that the discovery of the mouse and droppings means ‘it was evident measures were not in place, including the standards of cleaning’ to protect food from contamination.

The issue was taken due to Southern Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court on July 18 to confirm whether the council’s course of action was correct. It was noted that the dead mouse posed an imminent health risk to children. They are considered a vulnerable group for food poisoning and other health complications because of their underdeveloped immune systems.

Mice contaminate food, kitchen equipment and surfaces with urine droppings and hair, and can spread dangerous diseases like salmonella to humans.

Council officers presented evidence in court that confirmed the health risk found on July 15, and at a following visit on July 17. It resulted in the council being awarded costs of £2,277.

Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, cabinet member for environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said that the authority took ‘immediate action’.

He said: “Our priority remains the welfare of the children and staff at this school. This level of contamination represents a serious risk of disease and food poisoning.”