THE OWNERS of a Reading food business have been fined over £4,000 and ordered to pay almost £5,000 in costs after two young children choked on cling film found in a take away pizza (Photo on Flickr).
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- Council: Reading Borough Council
Case 1
- Fine: £1,400
- Costs: £1,625
- Total: £3,025
Case 2
- Fine: £1,400
- Costs: £1,625
- Total: £3,025
Case 3
- Fine: £1,400
- Costs: £1,625
- Total: £3,025
Mr Majid Ali, Mr Muhammad Akram and Mr Hamed Jabbar, the owners of Star Takeaway, 166 Oxford Road, pleaded guilty to 4 offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 and current Food Hygiene Regulations on 15th May at Reading Magistrates Court.
On 4th September 2013 the defendants sold a 12” chicken and sweetcorn pizza with cling film embedded in it that was then eaten by the purchaser’s 2 young children. The purchaser complained to Reading’s Environmental Health department, who visited the premises and found that staff were untrained in food hygiene principles, that there was no food safety management system in place and that lettuce was at risk of contamination from defrosting raw chicken nearby.
At the hearing, District Judge Larchar made the following remarks:
“Had the children choked to death on the cling film, you all (the Defendants) could have been facing a more serious charge now at the Crown Court – murder or manslaughter. Health and safety practices are there for a reason: to protect the public. You started a new food business and have tried to do it on the cheap, without any training given to staff. You should have put all the procedures in place before opening for business.”
Cllr Paul Gittings, Lead Member for Culture, Sport and Consumer Services said:
“This very serious case illustrates why food preparation regulations need to be adhered to and hygiene standards maintained.
“Whilst the vast majority of food outlets are responsible, here is an example of owners who did not appear to take those responsibilities seriously.
“I would like to congratulate the environmental health team in Reading for their hard work on this case.”
Each owner was fined £500 for the offence of selling pizza containing cling film and £300 for failing to have trained staff, a food safety management system and failure to protect food from contamination, totalling £1400 per defendant. Costs of £1625 were also brought against each defendant.
