The owner and the manager of a Luton restaurant have been convicted of food hygiene offences after the business was closed following a food hygiene inspection in May 2018.

On 11 May 2018 a food safety officer undertook a routine inspection at Al Badar restaurant in Luton. The officer discovered poor hygiene and cleanliness issues at the premises, including pest activity, cross contamination of food, and inadequate hand-washing facilities for staff, amongst other matters.

Al Badar was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice and the premises was closed.

Remedial steps were taken by the food business but a subsequent routine inspection on 7 June 2019 identified further food hygiene breaches.

Both sets of offences were prosecuted by the local authority in the Magistrate’s Court.

Owner, Mr Shabir Ahmed and Manager, Mr Anel Shabir both pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences in Luton Magistrates’ Court on 3 September 2019 and were fined £13,232.50 in total.

Laura Church, Corporate Director for Place and Infrastructure said "It is essential that food business owners keep their food premises clean and up to food law standards for the safety of customers. We strongly advise that they have a permanent pest control monitoring and treatment contract in place.

“Food businesses need to continually look at both the inside and outside of the premises they operate from and make sure they meet food hygiene standards. We will take action if necessary.”

If you or your business are faced with an investigation or prosecution for breaching food safety or food hygiene regulations, call our specialist Regulatory Partner, James Lowe, on 07833 240400 for advice and assistance.