The former owner of a takeaway has racked up hundred of pounds in fines amid food poisoning allegations.
Hygiene records were also faked at the Salford takeaway, says Salford City Council after it prosecuted the former owner. Amroodhin Ghayase, 37, former owner of Milano hot food takeaway, based in Liverpool Road, Eccles, pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on June 29, to two offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013 of failing to keep a food premises clean and failing to implement and maintain permanent procedures.
The court heard that Ghayase, of Westbourne Road, Eccles, had run the business since 2019 and while in April 2022 it had a satisfactory food hygiene rating of 3, it had twice been rated 1 (unsatisfactory) before improvements were made. He now no longer owns Milano and the business is under new management.
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On April 19, 2022, a member of the public contacted Salford City Council alleging that cooked chicken bought from Milano had made her and her partner unwell over the weekend. An environmental health officer visited to review cooking practices and food safety monitoring records.
Although the alleged food poisoning could not be substantiated, they were concerned about the standard of cleaning and hygiene practices observed at the premises and carried out a detailed food hygiene inspection, according to the council. That inspection found that cleaning throughout the food handling areas was very poor. Grease and food debris were building up on surfaces, wall and floor junctions and food equipment.
It was apparent that a deep clean had not been undertaken at the premises for some time. The officer returned a week later to check that cleaning had taken place but found little improvement to the cleaning. A further check a week later found standards to be better, continued the council.
Although the business was completing a daily diary suggesting food safety standards were being complied with, the officer found this was clearly not the case. Hot and held food and freezer storage temperature records were being completed in advance, throwing into doubt the validity of the safety monitoring records.
The wash hand basin in the preparation room was completely obstructed with food equipment, making it impossible for food handlers to effectively wash their hands. Staff were using the sink instead of the designated wash hand basins, which is not acceptable. There were no hand towels in the dispenser in the toilet.
An area used for raw meat preparation had food equipment for ready to eat food, including a milkshake blender and a cup containing an ice cream scoop, presenting a cross-contamination risk. There were damaged food containers in use. Had staff been carrying out proper daily checks, these issues would have been dealt with.
Ghayase was fined £480 and ordered to pay £850 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the case, Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods, sport and leisure, said: “Food hygiene regulations are there to protect the public and we won’t hesitate to take action against any business which fails in its duty of care.”
