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Rodent droppings and mouldy food: Former bakery owner fined $166,000

The former operator of an Adelaide bakery where rodent droppings were found in food has been fined $166,000.

The Champion Bakery at Beverley in Adelaide's west is no longer in business, but it used to supply several food outlets including supermarkets and delicatessens.

The court heard Charles Sturt Council inspectors found rodent droppings in mixtures for custard tarts and cookies.

There were mouldy ingredients, including chocolate, butter and glacé cherries, as well as spice mix and herbs containing insects.

The court heard the bakery owner, Michael Nickols, kept running his business despite a council prohibition order to stop him selling food.

His lawyer said he wanted to keep working because he had a moral objection to claiming government benefits.

Nickols and the company pleaded guilty to breaching the food code.

The magistrate said the $166,000 fine took into account the risk to public health.

Outside the court the council's manager of public health and safety, Donna Dunbar, said the judgement illustrated the importance of businesses complying with the food laws.

"The City of Charles Sturt is looking forward to working with all our food businesses to ensure they are selling safe and suitable foods to the public in premises which comply with the food standards," she said.