News-Fly-infestation and dirty cookery equipment lands takeaway owner in court

Our environmental health officers carried out an unannounced inspection at Hello 7 in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham City, after a pest control company, which had been called into 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.

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.

Guilty plea

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.

A legal duty

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, our business compliance manager, 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.

"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."