Food firm ordered to pay £31,369 for dirty conditions
A Birmingham food trader was ordered to pay £31,369 after being found guilty of seven offences under Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (27 March 2015).
Mushtaqs Ltd, based in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay £7,249 costs and a victim surcharge of £120.
Environmental health officers, from Birmingham City Council, visited the premises on 5 March 2013 to carry out a routine hygiene inspection found the kitchen to be filthy, where food was not protected against cross-contamination with raw ingredients stored with ready to eat items.
Many of these concerns had already been identified during a visit on 1 November 2012, but still not addressed, so on 21 March 2013 officers issued six hygiene improvement notices which related to a food safety management system, food hygiene training, cleaning of kitchen equipment and the general cleanliness of the premises.
Despite agreeing a three-week extension for these works to be completed on 7 May 2013, when officers returned to Mushtaqs on 29 May 2013 it was clear a number of improvements specified had not been made, who also noted there were additional hygiene offences.
Officers are due to carry out a routine food hygiene inspection at Mushtaqs later this year.
Mark Croxford, Head of Environmental Health for Birmingham City Council, said: “Officers inspecting Mushtaqs found filthy conditions and equipment in the kitchen on several occasions and little evidence that staff handling food had received any food safety or hygiene training.
“I am pleased that the court has taken this case seriously, highlighting the business’s cavalier attitude to food hygiene – and the health of its customers – and that Mushtaqs has been found guilty.
“Our environmental health officers will continue to work with Mushtaqs to ensure they meet their statutory requirements to operate as a food business.”
ENDS
Media contact: Emma Brady, Press & PR Officer, on 0121 303 6969 or email emma.brady@birmingham.gov.uk
