Redruth restaurant owner fined for 'filthy and rancid' conditions
Amity Tandoori's owner, Sultan Ahmed, was prosecuted for seven food hygiene offences after the inspections between December last year and this June
A restaurant owner has been fined £14,000, and has been ordered to pay thousands more in costs to the council, after the premises in Redruth were found to have been 'filthy and rancid'.
Amity Tandoori's owner, Sultan Ahmed, was prosecuted for a seven food hygiene offences after the inspections between December last year and this June.
He pleaded guilty to the offences, despite the defence in mitigation telling the court that the restaurant in Redruth has since been bumped up to a hygiene rating of '3', and has retained the services of a food hygiene consultancy in a bid to turn it around.
Ahmed pleaded guilty of failure to satisfactorily implement and maintain a documented food safety management system, to adequately protect food from contamination, to ensure food handlers were adequately trained and supervised, that the premises was kept adequately clean and maintained, and to ensure that all articles, fittings and equipment coming into contact with food were effectively cleaned and disinfected.
He was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay £6000 towards the Councils costs.
On sentencing the Judge summed up that the photos presented tell the story of a premises that had been filthy and rancid and that officers had given advice to the business during visits but that little heed had been given to taking this onboard.
Food and Safety Team Manager Nick Kelly said: “Food Safety Officers always try and work with business owners informally, advising and signposting where necessary to ensure they comply with the law.”
“Despite some inspections taking a pause as a result of COVID we are now catching up with those inspections by adhering to the Food Standards Agency Covid Recovery Plan. We are sadly finding businesses that are now non-compliant, that were compliant prior to COVID.
"We are also seeing a high turnover of staff working in hospitality and as such food business owners should ensure they are adequately trained and supervised. Even though times are hard, businesses should not cut corners in terms of food safety and put the public at risk.”
Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change said “Every year, the Council’s officers work with thousands of businesses across Cornwall to help them to understand and meet regulatory requirements.
"Whilst the majority of Cornish businesses do cooperate and comply, we will not hesitate to take further action against those who refuse to work with us to protect the safety of their customers.”