Former Stourbridge deli owner fined over string of hygiene offences
Mandeep Kang used to run David's Deli on Lower High Street.
The former owner of a deli in Stourbridge has been ordered to pay nearly £6,500 by a court after admitting a raft of hygiene offences.
Mandeep Kang used to run David’s Deli in Lower High Street.
While Kang was in charge, inspectors found mould on the walls, a large build-up of grease, and dirty cardboard on the floor and on steps in the food preparation area. This was during an inspection in March 2022.
There was also no working wash hand basin in the servery area and officers found risks of cross-contamination with raw shell eggs stored next to takeaway containers used for ready-to-eat foods.
Kang, of Clark Street, Ladywood, Birmingham, was interviewed and said the business had been overwhelmed due to extra demand during the Covid lockdowns. He admitted to neglecting cleaning responsibilities.
The court heard the 37-year-old no longer runs the business and is currently unemployed.
He admitted a number of food hygiene offences at court last week. Magistrates imposed a fine of £5,000 and Kang was also ordered to pay £1,146.30 in court costs and a £190 victim surcharge.
Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said: "Our environmental health officers take hygiene breaches very seriously, as failure to comply can put the wellbeing of consumers at risk.
"It goes without saying that as paying customers we all have the right to expect that the food we eat is safe. When that’s not the case we will take action to protect consumers.
"This is another successful case as we strive to uphold hygiene standards across the borough, and I hope it serves as an example to other food premises."
The eatery is now under new ownership and received a two-star “improvement necessary” hygiene rating following an inspection in March this year.