Mouse Infested Port Talbot Fish & Chip Shop Owner Prosecuted
As part of the on-going monitoring of takeaway premises, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has successfully prosecuted the owner of a kebab and fish and chip shop owner in Sandfields, Port Talbot, after an inspection on 17th November 2015 found a number of serious hygiene issues, including a dead mouse under a freezer and dirty walls, surfaces, equipment and floors.
The unannounced inspection of Omar Simpson Fish and Chip Shop, by Environmental Health Officers from Neath Port Talbot Council found evidence of an active mouse infestation from droppings in the servery, store room and main preparation room.
During the course of the inspection, officers found poor conditions throughout the premises, including a severe accumulation of oil, grease and food debris on the floors and in the cracks and crevices of walls, dirty cooking equipment and an inadequate hot water supply to the hand basins and sinks.
The takeaway owner, Mr Parmjeet Singh Bilkhu, who was present at the time of the inspection, could not provide a Food Safety Management System or food hygiene training records when asked.
Officers were satisfied that there was an imminent risk of injury to health and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served on Mr Parmeet Singh Bilkhu requiring the premises to close immediately.
On 22nd November 2016, Mr Parmjeet Singh Bilkhu pleaded guilty to five food hygiene charges, including failure to ensure that the Food Premises was kept clean and failure to protect food against contamination.
On 29th November, Mr Bilkhu was given a 12 week prison sentence suspended for one year, and ordered to pay £800.00 in costs to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
Nicola Pearce, Head of Planning and Public Protection at Neath Port Talbot Council said: “This is an extreme case of poor standards which could have proved dangerous. Food businesses must ensure they comply with the relevant food hygiene legislation so that the food they serve is safe.”
“Neath Port Talbot’s Council’s Environmental Health Team monitor and inspect food premises throughout the borough to protect the public’s safety, but those who flout food hygiene laws will face punishment and action.”
“I would also point out that the majority of food outlets in Neath Port Talbot comply with food hygiene laws and have good standards of hygiene”.
Inspections have been carried out since the take away reopened on 20th November 2015 and it now holds a Food Hygiene Rating Scheme score of 3.
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