Porthcawl Takeaway Picks Up A Fine For Poor Food Hygiene

The owner of a Porthcawl takeaway has been prosecuted after numerous food hygiene offences were found at his premises. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In a case brought by Bridgend County Borough Council, Cardiff Magistrates Court heard how Food Safety Officers found serious breaches of food hygiene regulations when they visited the Indus Indian Takeaway on New Road, Porthcawl in September 2015. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers visiting the outlet had to intervene to protect public health after observing practices which posed a significant risk of food poisoning. These included:- ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Cross contamination hazards such as handling raw chicken on the ‘ready to eat’ and cooked preparation surface, next to ‘ready to eat’ salad, vegetables and food preparation equipment.
• A raw meat knife was in use on the ‘ready to eat’ food preparation chopping board.
• Dirty damp cloths were in use on both raw meat and ‘ready to eat’ food contact surfaces.
• There was poor temperature control due to food being cooled very slowly, which allows the growth of harmful bacteria and the production of toxins.
• A failure to clean and disinfect food contact equipment adequately, including ‘ready to eat’ food chopping boards.
• A failure to implement and maintain written food safety procedures at the business, demonstrating a lack of control and care.

In all, the takeaway owner Mr Monya Miah pleaded guilty to a total of six food hygiene offences when he appeared in court on 17 October and he was fined £1,200 by the Magistrates. He was also ordered to pay costs to the department of £280.15, legal fees of £600 and a victim surcharge of £20, making a total payable of £2,100.25. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Commenting after the court case, Councillor Charles Smith, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee for Shared Regulatory Services, said: “Fortunately, cases such as this are rare across the region, and most food businesses work hard to ensure that the highest possible standards of food hygiene are maintained. Nevertheless, the outcome of this court case sends a clear message that firm action will be taken wherever necessary to safeguard the public.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Shared Regulatory Services is the regional regulatory service covering Bridgend County Borough, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. It has been established to run services including trading standards, environmental health and licensing, and can be contacted by calling 01656 643643. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​