A takeaway owner, whose business was closed by Slough Borough Council’s environmental health officers, has been fined £13,792.50 for food safety violations.
Fakhra Shaheen, who had the heaviest infestations of cockroaches the Slough officers had ever seen, was issued two fines of £4,750 and £4,765 (max £5k), plus £4,277.50 costs.
Ms Shaheen owned the Kinara Express takeaway in Langley, Slough when it was closed down last October under emergency powers for the serious and widespread infestation of German cockroaches.
The magistrates stated that ‘there has been a patent disregard to food hygiene, which is a very serious offence. Ms Shaheen deliberately flaunted the law, and had absolutely no cooperation or respect for Slough Borough Council. She also exercised complete lack of risk assessment for pest monitoring.’
The takeaway has been refurbished and is due to open soon under new management.
Slough Environmental health officers had originally attended Bracknell Magistrates Court on October 31 2008 for an Emergency Prohibition Order to keep the takeaway shut until the problem was rectified. Two earlier hearings were held this year, which Ms. Shaheen failed to attend either.
Levine Whitham, senior environmental health officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic outcome for us and one that should hopefully assure residents we will not tolerate any food businesses flaunting the law.
“The council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of local people, and this case has proved how far we will go to make sure takeaways and restaurants in the town are not a danger to the public.”
Commissioner for Slough community and leisure, Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, added: “Well done to the environmental health officers for their persistence in this case.
“All food businesses should take note – Slough Borough Council will not accept anything but the best in food safety and hygiene.”
This is not the first time Kinara has flaunted the environmental health laws.
In 2006, it was fined £13,750 following a prosecution by the council, for eight separate Slough offences including failure to keep premises clean, failure to implement food safety controls and failure to supervise, instruct and train food handlers.
Anyone concerned about the safety standards of food premises in Slough should contact environmental health on 01753 875255 or e-mail foodandsafety@slough.gov.uk.
Slough Borough Council
