Durham takeaway hit with fine after fly-infested conditions
Environmental health officers from Durham County Council carried out an unannounced inspection at Hello 7 in Framwellgate Moor after a pest control company, which had been called to deal with a fly infestation, raised concerns about poor hygiene standards.
Magistrates in Peterlee heard that, on entering Hello 7, the officers found an active fly infestation throughout the premises. Cookery equipment and food preparation areas were unclean, posing an imminent risk to public health, and the structure of the building was in a state of disrepair.
(Image: Durham County Council) The manager of the business agreed to close until the issues were remedied. A week later, following two further inspections, the environmental health officers were satisfied Hello 7 no longer posed a risk to public health and allowed it to reopen.
Chunyan Chen, 33, a director of Hello O Limited, the company that owns Hello 7, pleaded guilty to six breaches of the Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
The court heard the business had not been trading for long before the inspection took place and had acted quickly to remedy the issues identified by officers. Chen, of Priory Road, Framwellgate Moor, also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
(Image: Durham County Council) Magistrates fined Chen a total of £2,880 for the six offences. She was also ordered to pay a £1,152 victim surcharge and costs of £600.
Ian Harrison, business compliance manager at Durham County Council, said: “If a business or organisation is preparing food for the public, they have a legal duty to ensure the premise and equipment used are cleaned properly. Failing to do so can pose a serious risk to public health.
“In the case of Hello 7, steps had been taken to address the fly infestation. However, the unhygienic conditions the pest control company and our officers found at the premises were clearly a major cause of the infestation and breached food safety and hygiene legislation.
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“This prosecution demonstrates the consequences of failing to uphold the hygiene standards required. I would encourage any food businesses with questions or concerns to contact our environmental health team so we can offer advice.”
To contact the team, call 03000 261 016 or ehcp@durham.gov.uk.
Durham County Council carries out regular, risk-based food hygiene and standards inspections of all food premises as part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/foodhygienerating to find out more.