5th September 2024
The boss of a Hertfordshire takeaway whose kitchen was littered with rat droppings and a slow-draining sink that rendered handwashing ineffective, faces a full Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Muhammad Ali Safwaan Choudhury, the owner of British Raj Express, was ordered to pay nearly £150,000 at St Albans Magistrates’ Court after previously pleading guilty to a number of food hygiene offences.
The prosecution was brought by North Herts Council following visits by Environmental Health Officers.
Inspectors visited the premises on a number of occasions in 2023 and although food hygiene issues were drawn to the attention of the owner and manager, no improvements were found on subsequent inspections.
Areas below equipment within the kitchen were greasy and collecting debris including rat droppings, dirty tea towels around the kitchen were being used for cleaning, and a light switch within the dry store area was dirty which could contaminate hands.
Waste was piled up in an uncontrolled manner with the back door left open allowing access to pests, while rodent monitoring boxes were not kept in good condition.
Inspectors found inadequate handwashing facilities for food handlers, including a lack of hot water, soap and hand drying materials.
The wash hand basin was so slow draining that food handlers could not effectively wash their hands due to the inability to clean them in fresh water.
They also identified poor practice by food handlers. Correct protective white coats and aprons were not always worn by workers in the kitchen, including the head chef.
Additionally, the takeaway was criticised for its poor food storage and cross contamination.
Food was kept uncovered under sink, ready to eat poppadoms were stored on a plate covered in greasy, damaged foil, while food in fridge contained no stated shelf life and there was no method to ensure ready to eat food was being stored in containers that had not previously been used to store raw meat and fish.
Jo Doggett, service director for housing and environmental health, said: “Inspecting restaurants and other food businesses is a vital service that some people may not realise we provide, helping to ensure residents can enjoy their favourite takeaway or meal out safely.
“This case shows how important our work is, and the significant fines prove how harmful the breaches were.”
“These routine inspections provide the ratings for the Food Standards Agency’s ‘scores on the doors’ scheme, giving a food hygiene level between zero and five to every café, pub, restaurant, takeaway and delivery outlet in North Herts. We also provide food hygiene training courses for new staff to help food businesses meet their legal training responsibilities.”