Rat activity, poor standards of cleanliness, failure to protect food from contamination and a lack of food safety management procedures – some of the conditions found when Powys County Council’s Environmental Health Officers carried out an unannounced inspection of Bengal Spices, Ashfield House, Llanymyenech in November 2013.
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- Council: Powys County Council
- Fine: £10,000
- Costs: £1,500
- Total: £11,500
On the 2nd April 2014, Llandrindod Wells Magistrates heard how an unannounced inspection of Bengal Spices took place the council’s environmental health department received a complaint alleging that there was rat activity in the premises.
Officers from the council’s food safety team carried out an inspection of the premises and noted evidence of rat activity; droppings were found and rodent access holes were seen in the structure of the building.
During the course of the inspection, officers found unacceptable standards of cleanliness within the kitchen and food preparation areas; dirt, grease and food debris was seen accumulating on the floor, walls and other surfaces. Dirty food preparation equipment and utensils were found in use in the kitchen. And food equipment, including chopping boards and plastic storage containers were found to be in a poor state of repair and were difficult to clean.
The Magistrates heard how the environmental health officers reported a lack of measures in place to protect food from contamination with harmful bacteria; cooked foods were being stored uncovered on low shelves, open containers of raw meat were being stored next to containers of cooked foods, cooked foods were found packed in boxes lined with newspaper and large quantities of high risk foods were found being kept at room temperature.
The officers found a lack of formal food safety management systems. The operators of the business were not following safe methods for the preparation and storage of food, pest control or cleaning and disinfection.
As a result of the conditions found, the food business operators offered to close the premises to arrange for pest control treatment and to undertake a thorough deep clean and disinfection. All foods that could have been contaminated were surrendered and disposed of.
Magistrates were also made aware of cautions accepted by the Food Business Operators in September 2013 for similar offences.
In court, Mr Mizanur Chowdhury and Mr Rabiul Alam pleaded guilty to all nine offences and were fined a total of £10,000 and were ordered to pay costs of in excess of £1,500.
Welcoming the verdict, Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member responsible for environmental health said: “All premises that prepare and serve food to the public must ensure that their activities comply with food hygiene legislation and do not put the health of the public at risk.
“In this instance, despite significant assistance from our food safety team, the required standards were not met, and the action taken has been proportionate to the risks identified. All food business operators should take notice of the penalties they may face when their actions fall short of legal requirements and risks to health are identified.”
