Information on Loughborough

Restaurant prosecuted for filthy conditions

Posted on 02/03/2010
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The Bengal Tandoori and Balti Restaurant, Barrow Upon Soar, has been prosecuted by Charnwood Borough Council after environmental health officers found filthy conditions in the kitchen and food storage areas.

The owner, Mohammed Abdul Mazid (41), of Bridge Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to five separate food safety offences. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £750 costs to the council by Loughborough magistrates on Tuesday (February 23).

Environmental health officers undertook a routine food safety inspection of the premises on the 18 June 2009 and discovered that the standards of food hygiene and safety within the food preparation areas were totally unacceptable.

The structure and equipment within the premises were found to be filthy with an extensive accumulation of dirt and food debris, indicating that basic cleaning had not been carried out to the required standards.

Officers also found that many of the practices in place exposed food to the risk of contamination. Food was being stored in an outside yard, dirty wiping cloths were in use and decomposing food was found in the store-room.

Food storage areas were also in poor state of repair and inadequately protected from pests, such as insects. It was apparent that critical food controls were not in place at the time of the visit. Due to nature of the conditions found, officers served legal notices and also ensured the owner closed the premises until all urgent matters were dealt with.

As a result of the serious food safety contraventions found, the council decided to prosecute the owner of the business.

Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, Borough Council cabinet support member for housing and health, said: “The council is committed to ensuring public safety is a priority.

“We will always try to help and assist businesses comply with the law, but where there are significant breaches we shall take the appropriate steps. This case will hopefully reinforce to food businesses that they must ensure their premises and practices are maintained to a good standard.”