A Calderdale takeaway has been fined for having poor food hygiene and putting people’s health at risk.
Calderdale Council Environmental Health officers visited the Seraj takeaway at Bull Close Lane, Halifax and identified a number of serious food hygiene offences.
At Halifax Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 23 April, Mr Mohammed Nazir, the owner of the takeaway was prosecuted by Calderdale Council for offences identified on two visits by officers on 28 February 2013, 4 April 2013 and a subsequent visit on 2 May 2013.
The court was told that Mr Nazir had been advised and directed to improve on many visits, and on the unannounced visit on 2 May 2013, officers had to dispose of a large amount of food from the premises in order to protect potential customers.
Despite further direction and instruction given to Mr Nazir, the second and third inspections identified that conditions had not improved.
Mr Nazir was charged with 16 offences, and fined a total of £4500 – £500 for failing to keep food at the appropriate temperatures, £1,500 for placing foods at a risk of contamination, £,1000 for having a filthy premises, £ 1,000 for failing to maintain a food safety management system and £500 for food handlers failing to ensure personal hygiene. He was also ordered to pay full costs to the council of £1,974 and a victim surcharge of £120.
Mark Thompson, Head of Housing Environment and Renewal Services said:
‘When food is exposed for sale at temperatures and conditions that could place the public at risk, we have to act. We work hard to give Calderdale businesses the direction and information they need to comply with food hygiene and safety requirements, but when the advice and direction is ignored, our only option available is to prosecute the food business operator for the offences seen.
“We take breaches of hygiene standards very seriously and will not hesitate to take action if we find any areas of concern.”
For more information about food safety regulations and inspections, please go to Food Safety. You can also talk to the Environmental Health service for information and advice on food hygiene and safety – please call 01422 392373.