The boss of a filthy sweet-shop which kitchen inspectors found engulfed with flies has been fined £4,000.
Mohammed Akram, 53, owner of Aysha Sweet Centre – which claims to supply “the North’s most famous Pakistani sweets” – pleaded guilty to eight food safety offences.
Hygiene officials found food-pans caked in grease and dirty walls with peeling paint at the shop, on Lees Road, Oldham during a routine visit last August, a court heard.
The half-built premises had a food preparation area full of flies – and there was no soap or hand-drying facilities at the kitchen sink.
Oldham magistrates were told how staff at the eatery had not put food safety procedures – required by law – in place, and that no-one was checking food was being prepared safely. Food sanitation is something that should be on top of any restaurant owners list. There’s nothing worse than serving food to customers in unhygienic conditions. Even when it comes to food processing, the use of something like an industrial keyboard is put into place at various businesses, in order to improve the sanitation of the area. Something as simple as this makes all the difference. So there shouldn’t be any excuses when it comes to finding ways to keep your food kitchen in the highest condition. Food sanitation also includes other health and safety protocols like purchasing catering first aid kits, that can be equipped with blue plasters (which are legal requirements for kitchens to have), and sanitation products that chefs can use if a problem like a knife cut occurs. Most health and safety protocols are relatively simple and cheap to follow and this is why it is shocking that some businesses are still not following government guidance.
According to Aysha’s website, the shop specialises in Asian sweets including barfi, made of condensed milk and sugar, jalebi, deep-fried sweet pretzel-style snacks and nougat-style halwa. The store also offers savoury snacks including samosas, chicken wings and savoury rice dishes.
Akram, who pleaded guilty to eight breaches of food hygiene regulations, was ordered to pay a £2,400 fine and £1,575 costs awarded to the council – a total of £3,975.
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Coun Jean Stretton, member of Oldham Council’s ruling cabinet, said: “Members of the public should be able to consume food from any outlet with confidence that it is prepared using the highest of food hygiene practices.
“Oldham council continuously and effectively monitors premises throughout the borough to ensure high standards are kept.
“But those who flout food hygiene laws will face severe punishment, like this takeaway has done.
“The safety of the public is paramount.”
Mr Akram told the M.E.N: “I have been here 17 or 18 years now, this is the first time I have been in trouble over hygiene.
“I have now taken more of an interest (in kitchen hygiene standards).
“Inspectors have been since August and I showed photos to the court, and matters have now improved 100 per cent.”
