Abdul Shamim, trading as the Dilshad restaurant in Wednesbury, was sentenced at Black Country Magistrates’ Court on 19 July 2018. Mr Shamim was fined £1,920 and ordered to pay costs of £1,408.14 to Sandwell Council as well as a victim surcharge of £170.

Mr Shamim pleaded guilty to three food hygiene charges brought by Sandwell Council for failing to supply hot water to hand wash basins, providing inadequate facilities for cleaning utensils and equipment, and failing to protect food against contamination.

Sandwell Council’s Environmental Health Officers undertook a food hygiene inspection on 4 July 2017 and found there was no hot water supply to the hand wash basins and sinks which resulted in the risks of cross-contamination being poorly controlled. The restaurant was described as posing an “imminent risk to the health of the public”.

The restaurant had previously been fined £4,100 in 2013 for several food hygiene breaches which had caused health risks.

This case emphasises the need for business owners to operate a robust food safety management system and consider all potential food hygiene risks and address these within their food business. 

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