Hove takeaway fined

Mr Muharrem Kartal, owner of Golden Fried Chicken, 22 Church Road, Hove, pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court today, August 27,  to 17 counts of failing to comply with food hygiene regulations on January 15 and 25, 2013 and failing to improve after repeated visits and advice from the council’s food safety team.

Mr Kartal was fined £6,950, with £4,707.38 costs and £120 victim surcharge, a total of £11,877.38. He was ordered to pay the first £2,000 within 7 days.

The court heard that on January 15 2013 two officers from Brighton & Hove City Council’s Food Safety team visited the premises to check it was in compliance with regulations. Further offences were also seen on another visit made on January 25

Len Batten, prosecuting on behalf of the council, told magistrates how the officers found the premises dirty, greasy and without sufficient measures to prevent pests entering food areas. Mouse droppings were seen in various parts of the premises and a mouse nest discovered next to a box of carrots in the storeroom.

Officers found food equipment was not adequately cleaned, with a build up of fat, dirt and meat particles inside the mincing machine. There were blood smears on the inside of the door to the walk-in chiller and food debris on the floor.

Pizza toppings were stored at temperatures too high to prevent the growth of food poisoning bacteria and salads were at risk of contamination from juices dripping from raw meat. Other breaches included large deposits of congealed fat in the yard.

The court heard how the premises had been visited on numerous occasions since 2010. While some improvements were made during this time, there was evidence of significant breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Councillor Pete West, chair of the environment committee, said:

“The council’s food safety team works closely with food outlets in the city and we know most businesses take pride in their cleanliness and take food safety very seriously. There is no excuse for appalling conditions such as these and, despite lots of advice and visits, the premises failed to respond, leaving us no alternative but to intervene to protect the public.”