Member Article

Oldham takeaway prosecuted over poor hygeine standards

Oldham Council has successfully prosecuted a sweet food outlet in Oldham after an inspection at the premises left a sour taste.

Mohammed Gaffar, owner of Top Sweet House, on Manchester Road, pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Food Hygiene and Safety England Regulations 2013 legislation at Oldham Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, March 18).

Environmental Health Officers discovered a customer attempting to wave away flies from uncovered kebabs – during a routine inspection on July 25, 2013.

Insects were also seen flying on raw chicken.

Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises – including on food preparation surfaces.

The bare concrete flooring was extremely dirty and the boiler was caked in thick grease.

There was no food safety management system, no approved antibacterial surface cleaner and food was left out at room temperature.

The premises, which sells hot food and Asian sweets, was immediately closed down and reopened two days later after a thorough deep clean and pest control treatment.

Officers have since inspected the business and standards have improved.

Mr Gaffar, aged 48, was fined £5,750, which included £1,750 in costs awarded to the council.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods, said: “The conditions of this business when our environmental health officers inspected last year were truly disgusting, as well as unsafe.

“We will always take what legal action we can to force dirty businesses to stop taking unacceptable risks with the public’s health, but I would also urge residents to check food hygiene ratings before they purchase from any food business.

“Most food businesses take hygiene very seriously and nearly three quarters of food businesses are rated at four or above. There are however a few establishments which need to recognise their responsibilities to their customers and get up to this standard.”

The hygiene standards of food businesses are based on inspections carried out by the local authority – on a scale ranging from ‘0’ which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of ‘5’, which is ‘very good’.

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