Member Article

Oldham takeaway prosecuted for poor food hygiene and safety

An Oldham takeaway has faced court action for food safety offences after poor standards were found during a routine food hygiene inspection by Oldham Council’s Environmental Health Team.

The owner of Aysha Sweet Centre was successfully prosecuted by the local authority under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 at Oldham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 14.

A routine inspection carried out on the sweet and savoury eatery on Lees Road, Oldham, on August 24, 2013, found pans used for cooking food caked in grease and very dirty premises.

Parts of the structure were unfinished, and some walls were filthy and had peeling paint. There were a lot of flies in the food preparation room and there was no soap or hand drying facilities at the wash hand basin.

The food safety management system had not been completed and staff were not carrying out checks to ensure food was being prepared safely.

The owner Mohammed Akram, aged 53, pleaded guilty to eight food safety offences. The court ordered him to pay a £2,400 fine, with £1,575 costs awarded to the Council.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods, said: “Members of the public should be able to consume food from any outlet with confidence that it is prepared using the highest of food hygiene practices.

“Oldham Council’s Environmental Health Team continuously and effectively monitor premises throughout the Borough to ensure high standards are kept.

“But those who flout food hygiene laws will face severe punishment, like this takeaway has done. The safety of the public is paramount.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .