Three Luton food businesses have been prosecuted by the council for poor hygiene standards, including pest infestations within the premises. All three businesses were closed immediately using hygiene emergency prohibition powers.
On 22 November, Pink Eatery Ltd, the food business operator of Chai Link Kiosk in Luton Point, Luton and the company director Syed Hussain Raza Bukhari, were fined after pleading guilty to hygiene offences. The fines related to a visit made to Chai Link Kiosk on 11 September 2023, by a Council Environmental Health Officer where an uncontrolled infestation of cockroaches was identified.
The units which formed the kiosk were in poor repair, facilitating the harbourage of cockroaches. Pink Eatery Ltd was fined £16,700.50, along with a victim surcharge of £6,700 and prosecution costs of £1,486.75. Mr Bukhari was fined £2,700.88, along with a victim surcharge of £1,100 and prosecution costs of £1,468.75.
On 6 December, Emmamama Cuisine Ltd, the food business operator of Emmamama Cuisine, trading from 218 Leagrave Road, Luton, and the company director Monsurat Ayobami Adepeju Ogunleye, were fined after pleading guilty to hygiene offences.
The fines relate to a visit made to Emmamama Cuisine by a council Environmental Health Officer on 26 May 2023, when poor hygiene conditions were found at the premises. Mouse droppings were found in the kitchen and storerooms and the standard of cleanliness was very poor throughout. Handwashing supplies were inadequate and there was no documented food safety management system in place.
Emmamama Cuisine was fined £3,000, along with a victim surcharge of £1,200 and prosecution costs of £1,251. Ms Ogunleye was fined £538 along with a victim surcharge of £215 and prosecution costs of £753.
On 6 December, Waldeck Luton Ltd, the food business operator of Tiagos, 112 Bury Park Road, Luton and the company director, Awais Ali were fined after pleading guilty to hygiene offences.
The fines relate to a visit made to Tiagos on the 10 May 2023 by a council Environmental Health Officer. At the time of the visit, a cockroach infestation was identified in the premises and the standard of cleanliness was very poor throughout. A hot water supply was also not available which meant handwashing and cleaning of equipment and premises could not be carried out effectively. They had a documented food safety management system in place, however relevant procedures stated in the document had not been diligently implemented.
Waldeck Luton Ltd was fined £24,990 along with a victim surcharge of £2,000 and prosecution costs of £1,500. Mr Ali was fined £2,800, with a victim surcharge of £1,120 and costs of £1,444.97.
Councillor Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for Public Health said: “It is essential that food business owners take their responsibilities seriously when operating a food business, and they must be directly involved with that business to ensure the safety of members of the public.
“All food businesses must have permanent, ongoing and adequate procedures in place to monitor and control pests. We strongly advise that a permanent pest control monitoring and treatment contract is in place with a reputable, professional and competent pest control company. Effective pest control also includes having good standards of cleanliness and maintenance of equipment and surfaces with a good finish to walls, floors and ceilings. We will not hesitate to take action where businesses fail to put the safety of the public first.”
Where a food business is found to have pest activity, it faces emergency closure and prosecution.
Customers can view the food ratings of local establishments at https://ratings.food.gov.uk.
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