Bedfordshire Clanger bakery fined after droppings found in bread

A bakery was temporarily closed and the owner fined by a court after a customer found mouse droppings in a loaf of bread.

Central Bedfordshire Council said an investigation revealed a “serious rat infestation” in storage and production areas of Gunns Bakery, which has shops in Biggleswade and Sandy.

Environmental health teams found gnawed food packaging, dead mice and droppings at the firm’s manufacturing warehouse in Sandy.

David Gunns admitted seven food offences at Luton Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £2,100, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £840 and £4,900 towards court costs.

Gunns Bakery styles itself as the “home of the Bedfordshire Clanger”.

The sweet and savoury suet pastry was traditionally a popular choice for farm labourers and was featured in series eight of The Great British Bake Off in 2017.

It was traditionally eaten by farm labourers in the 19th Century.

Gunns has claimed it is one of the last places in the country to produce the delicacy.

Central Bedfordshire Council first inspected the business after a customer said they had found mouse droppings in a loaf of bread in February 2023.

The bakery owner was informed about the complaint and confirmed the problem had existed for about three weeks.

He had contacted two pest control companies and although one visited the site, no treatment took place and only advice was given.

In the same month, the business was served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice resulting in its immediate closure – and it did not reopen until May 2023.

In April 2023, four Hygiene Improvement Notices were served to Mr Gunns after another inspection.

The case was referred to Luton Crown Court due to the seriousness of the offences.