Hillingdon Council has prosecuted the owner of a takeaway in Hayes after a routine inspection uncovered a host of hygiene offences.
The owner of Jaffnas in Uxbridge Road, failed to keep the premises clean despite the council’s intervention to help improve hygiene standards.
During an inspection in November 2019, environmental health officers were concerned about the risk to public health after they found a thermometer probe encased with dirt and grease, a chest freezer with a large amount of food debris in it, a deep fat fryer with solid oil inside and a microwave filled with food.
At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 9 February, the court heard how the owner of Jaffnas was previously warned in 2018 to improve conditions but failed to undertake training, operate adequate temperature control or adopt food safety management procedures. There was no method for cleaning or disinfecting, nor any supply of hot water.
Under interview, he was unable to show or explain what he used for cleaning, and he claimed he was unable to carry out improvements or clean the premises due to a bad arm.
He pleaded guilty to four offences relating to food and hygiene and was fined £2,000. In total, including costs, he was ordered to pay £4,120.
Cllr John Riley, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport, said: “This owner failed in his duty to prevent serious risk to public health and safety and continued to operate with awful food hygiene practices. To protect our residents, we had no option but to prosecute him.
“Our officers take every step possible to help improve food premises when concerns are raised. While the majority cooperate, unfortunately a handful fail to do so. We will continue to take tough action against any business that thinks it’s okay to operate like this.”
