DIRTY kitchens and evidence of a mouse infestation were found by inspectors at a Coventry food business.
Mohammed Boda, the food business operator of MoBurgri in Stoney Stanton Road, has been fined after pleading guilty to food hygiene offences.
At Coventry Magistrates Court, Boda was fined a total of £504 and ordered to pay costs of £2,426.75. A victim surcharge of £202 was also issued by the court.
Food and safety officers visited the business last May after they received a complaint about poor cleaning.
During the visit, officers found evidence of an extensive mouse infestation throughout the food preparation and servery areas, and dirty touch points such as light switches, taps and handles.
The inspectors also found extremely poor cleaning throughout food preparation areas, and dirty hand wash basins which were clearly not in use.
Cooking equipment was encrusted with grease and food debris, and had clearly not been cleaned for some time.
The ceiling had fallen down in the staff toilet, and sponges and scourers used for washing up food equipment were covered in food and grease.
The business voluntarily closed and stopped trading while remedial works were undertaken to improve conditions. A food hygiene rating of 0 was issued.
Officers worked with the business to ensure conditions were improved and it was safe to operate, and the premises reopened in June.
In October, MoBurgri was inspected again and received a food hygiene rating of 1. Coventry City Council has continued to work with the business to ensure food safety laws are met, improvements are made and the outlet is safe.
Improvements made post-inspection do not automatically alter the food hygiene rating score, however MoBurgri has the opportunity to apply for a re-rating. Alternatively, the rating will be reviewed and updated at the next planned inspection.
During the court hearing, Boda pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations.
Davina Blackburn, Strategic Lead for Regulation and Communities at Coventry City Council, said: “It is vital that people running food businesses in Coventry are running clean and safe establishments all of the time to ensure the safety of the food they sell to customers.
“Our food and safety officers work hard at inspecting food businesses in the city.
“Issuing food hygiene ratings helps ensure consumers can make informed decisions on where to eat and purchase food, and we encourage them to check out their favourite businesses by going online at https://ratings.food.gov.uk “
Food and Safety Manager Nikki Castledine added: “We take a staged approach to enforcement, and that’s why prosecution is a matter of last resort.
“Wherever possible officers will always try to work with businesses offering advice and guidance but will take the necessary actions if they feel there is a risk to health.”
Email [email protected] or call 08085 834333 to report unsatisfactory food hygiene conditions at food businesses in Coventry.
