Former takeaway owner hit with Environmental Health prosecution

One of the scenes at Cobra Express, in Yorkshire Street, in February last year

Environmental Health officers found mouse droppings throughout the kitchen – and on cooking utensils - at an Oldham town centre takeaway.

The former owner has now been successfully prosecuted by Oldham Council for two breaches of food hygiene laws.

Officers carried out a food hygiene inspection at Cobra Express, in Yorkshire Street, in February last year.

As well as the mouse droppings it was found shelving, fridge seals and handles and feet of equipment were dirty, as were the chopping boards and canopy.

On May 10 at Tameside Magistrates’ Court, Sadik Ali, of Richmond Walk, Oldham, pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 19.

The 29 -year-old, who apologised in court for his actions, was fined £300 for each offence, with costs of £600 and a victim surcharge of £60.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “When people buy from takeaways they should be safe in the knowledge that the food they have purchased has been prepared in a clean kitchen and doesn’t potentially put their health at risk.

“We are doing our bit by ensuring businesses in the borough operate within the law and if they don’t then we will take action against them.”

All food businesses inspected by the council are given a rating based on their compliance with the legal requirements for hygiene, structural condition and confidence in the management.

Following a food hygiene inspection a business is rated from five for a very good through to zero for those premises that need to improve urgently.

It is voluntary for the businesses to display the rating, but gives the consumer an indication of its overall level of food hygiene compliance.

All Oldham food business ratings are on the Food Standards Agency website: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/QuickSearch.aspx