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Dirty Dudley takeaways are fined £30,000 between them

Dirty freezers and food stored near toilets - these are some of the alarming hygiene offences committed by a restaurant and a takeaway in Dudley.

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Dudley Magistrate’s Court

The Rose of Kashmir and Balti 4 U Ltd, both based in Dudley, were fined more than £30,000 between them after a Dudley Council inspection.

The owners of both food premises were found guilty of a string of hygiene offences at Dudley Magistrate’s Court.

Dudley Council’s health boss, councillor Cathy Bayton, said: “Conditions found at these two premises were totally unsatisfactory, with our inspectors finding multiple breaches at both premises.

“I would urge consumers to check out hygiene ratings online as these will give consumers a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen when they eat out, or behind the scenes at the places they shop.”

Environmental health officers found dirty equipment - including a chest freezer and food storage bins - at the Rose of Kashmir, based in Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, during an inspection in August 2017.

Raw chicken was also being stored above cooked items in the fridge while there were inadequate procedures to deal with pests. A further inspection in March 2018 revealed similar problems and found raw chicken being stored above cooked rice in the fridge.

The company, which failed to attend Dudley Magistrate’s Court on December 5, was found guilty of sixteen offences.

The firm was fined £16,000 with £801 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Chopping board

Manager Faiz Rasul, aged 54, had pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing on October 3 and was fined £2,880 with £801 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Meanwhile, health inspectors visited Balti 4 U, in Halesowen Road, Netherton, on November 2017 and found dirty conditions relating to doors, food storage areas, shelving and wall tiles.

Dirty equipment was also found, which included a chopping board, microwave and hot cabinet.

There was also a defective microwave and food storage containers.

Inspectors found food was being stored in the lobby leading to the toilets, raw meat was stored next to ready-to-eat food in the fridge and there was inadequate lighting in the kitchen.

The documented food safety management system had also not been maintained.

Balti 4 U was found guilty at court and fined £10,500 with £1,140 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Both businesses are now operating under new owners with new names.

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