Hayat Sweet Centre in the dock at Dudley
Published on
At Dudley Magistrates’ Court yesterday, evidence was given of the concerning level of rat and mouse droppings in the food preparation areas of the premises, poor cleaning and disinfection and holes in both the wall and roof which allowed access to rodents.
In February 2022, Walsall Council environmental health officers inspected the Hayat Sweet Centre in Caldmore Road and obtained a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice Court, forcing a temporary closure of the business.
At Dudley Magistrates’ Court yesterday, evidence was given of the concerning level of rat and mouse droppings in the food preparation areas of the premises, poor cleaning and disinfection and holes in both the wall and roof which allowed access to rodents.
The Court was shown what can only be described as shocking images.
Mr Abrar Hussain of Gladstone Street Darlaston was in Court and pleaded guilty to the offence. He was handed down a fine of £1,846, victim surcharge of £738 and costs of £675.88, all of which are to be discharged within 28 days.
“ I’ve seen some shocking images of food premises in my time, but these are horrendous. Most of us perhaps just think places will be clean and safe and we buy their food products in good faith.
I learned my lesson the hard way through the serious food poisoning of a family member because of poor food hygiene. Another member of our social group out that night fared even worse and ended up very seriously ill in hospital.
I know I say it again and again, but the food hygiene ratings of premises are in the public domain – just look for them on Google and then filter your search. If the place has a score of 4 or 5, that’s good. A score of 3 is satisfactory, but frankly anything lower might make you want to vote with your feet.
If businesses aren’t displaying their food hygiene ratings in their windows, what does that tell us?
I have recently written to the Food Standards Agency asking that consideration be given to making it mandatory, as it is in Wales, for businesses to display their food hygiene rating.
As always, I would like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to our environmental health team who work so hard to keep us safe. Thank you also to our legal team who work diligently to get these prosecutions over the line.
“
