Deluxe Pizza fined for unsanitary conditions
The owners of Deluxe Pizza paid the price of their unsanitary working conditions as they faced a fine after appearing in Birmingham Magistrates Court. There were a total of six offences relating to the fast food company's unhygienic premises.
The store is situated on Birmingham's Pershore Road and the case is a result of a number of reports stating the food was being stored and prepared in very dirty and unhygienic conditions. The Magistrates imposed a total fine of £4313, Deluxe (UK) Ltd was confirmed as the Food Business Operator.
On the 29th April 2010, Birmingham's City Council carried out a food hygiene inspection of the store, the health officer responsible commented:
“During the inspection it became apparent that the premises was in a very dirty condition. Foodstuffs were being prepared and stored in dirty conditions likely to result in contamination”
Photographic and written evidence was taken due to the serious breaches of food hygiene legislation and the poor past history of compliance with food safety. The photographs showed dirty conditions likely to contaminate food, the images included;
- food spillages on shelves
- cigarettes in filthy sinks
- dirty floors and walls in food preparation areas
- dirty kitchen appliances
- containers of dry foods on the floor
Birmingham City Council emphasised the importance of the quality of its services, stating; “We want you to receive efficient and effective services from us, from the moment you realise that you need our assistance, or we make contact with you, to the time that your dealings with us are concluded.”
The council's services aim to ensure a safe, clean, green and fair trading city for residents, business and visitors. As well as this they aim to provide a professional service from trained, competent officers to ensure all regulatory enquiries are dealt with efficiently.
“We strive to continually improve our services, and value the publics views whether they have had a good experience or not”. Services such as this work efficiently by responding to customer complaints and keeping the public informed of any action taking place by the council.
