Joe & the Juice Fined £95,000 for Serious Hygiene Breaches

Two central London branches of Joe & the Juice have been fined a total of £95,000 after inspections uncovered serious hygiene violations, including mouse infestations. The café chain's sites on Garrick Street and Davies Street were found to have inadequate food safety standards, leading to their temporary closure.

Photos Courtesy of Westminster Council 

At a Westminster Magistrates' Court hearing on 22 January 2025, both locations were ordered to pay £40,000 each in fines, plus additional costs and victim surcharges. The penalties followed multiple inspections by Westminster City Council's environmental health officers, who identified severe breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Mouse Infestations and Food Contamination

The first violation was discovered in June 2023 when an inspection at the Garrick Street café led to an immediate closure order. Health officers found evidence of a widespread mouse infestation, including droppings in boxes of bread used for sandwiches and napkins meant for customers. In December 2023, a routine inspection at the Davies Street branch revealed similar issues. Investigators found mice had gnawed on bread stored on trays, while droppings were in both storage areas and front-of-house service stations. Food crumbs accumulated beneath shelving were also identified as contributing to the infestation. Given the severity of the findings, Westminster City Council issued Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices for both locations, enforcing temporary closures until hygiene standards were restored.

Legal Action and Council Response

Joe & the Juice pleaded guilty to two offences under food hygiene regulations at the first available opportunity. The council stressed the importance of maintaining strict food safety standards, particularly for businesses operating in high-footfall areas. Councillor Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection at Westminster City Council, commented: “Customers should have peace of mind that the cafés and kitchens they visit uphold the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. However, these cases' details are shocking and fall well below what is expected of food businesses in Westminster.” She further emphasised that the fines reflect the seriousness of the violations, assuring the public that the council will take decisive action when businesses fail to meet hygiene regulations.

Photos Courtesy of Westminster Council 

Joe & the Juice's Response

In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for Joe & the Juice stated: “We are fully committed to food safety and hygiene standards. Immediate steps were taken to rectify the issues at these two locations, and both have since achieved the highest hygiene ratings from the Food Standards Agency. We continue implementing best practice policies to uphold rigorous hygiene protocols across all our stores.”

A Wider Impact on the Brand?

Joe & the Juice, founded in Copenhagen in 2002, operates over 60 locations across London, Brighton, Oxford, Birmingham, and Liverpool. The recent hygiene breaches have raised concerns about food safety standards across the chain, potentially impacting customer trust. The case highlights the critical need for businesses to maintain stringent hygiene practices to protect public health and avoid reputational damage. The enforcement actions taken against Joe & the Juice serve as a reminder of the regulatory scrutiny facing food establishments in major cities.