Leamington takeaway operator admits 21 hygiene offences

A takeaway operator in Leamington has admitted to 21 hygiene offences.
Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.
Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.

On March 19, at Nuneaton Magistrates Court, Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed, the operator of Spicy Bites Pizzeria in Clemens Street pleaded guilty to 21 hygiene offences discovered during visits by Warwick District Council Food Safety Officers in March, May and June 2018.

The Court heard that Mr Ahmed had failed to keep the premises clean, in good order and proofed against the entry of rodents.

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Food equipment was found to be in a dirty condition and no sanitiser was available.

Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.
Spicy Bites Pizzaria in Clemens Street in Leamington. Photo from Google Street View.

Food handlers were not maintaining good personal hygiene and no soap or hygienic means of drying hands were available at the wash basins.

On sentencing, the Magistrates told Mr Ahmed that public health had been put at risk. Despite numerous numerous interventions and advice made by the Council’s Food Safety Officers, it had taken him a long time to take the appropriate remedial action requested.

Marianne Rolfe, Warwick District Council’s head of health and community protection, said: “Warwick District Council works on a daily basis with food businesses to encourage high standards and to protect the public.

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"The majority of our food businesses do a great job, with 84 per cent of businesses scoring the top 'five' food hygiene rating.

"However, when we have businesses who persistently fail to comply with the standards required of them, and, as a result, put the health of our residents at risk, we will always take enforcement action against them.”

Mr Ahmed was fined £666 for all the offences and ordered to pay full costs of £3,104 and a victim surcharge of £66.