Luton takeaway owner given suspended sentence

A suspended sentence has been handed out to a takeaway owner in Luton, for the breach of health and safety regulations.

Health and safety officers from the local council visited Royal Peri Peri in Luton, and discovered unsafe electrical work, inadequate hygiene standards and poor cleanliness, in addition to evidence of a pest problem. Improvement notices were served on the owner, Ali Khan, for food hygiene and health and safety. The owner was also ordered to improve the cleanliness of the kitchen and hygiene practices in the handling and storage of food.

When a repeat visit was carried out, the officers found that the situation had not improved and that the notices had not been complied with. Further visits were carried out at the takeaway, but very little improvement was seen, despite advice being given on several occasions to the owner of the takeaway.

Khan appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on 25th August and pleaded guilty to 14 offences of food hygiene, an offence against the Environmental Protection Act involving a waste related matter, and two offences relating to health and safety. Khan was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also forbidden from managing a business involving food for the next four years. Costs of £2,825 are to be paid to the council and a court surcharge of £100.

Local councils work hard to prevent breaches of health and safety regulations, carrying out checks on premises which trade in food. Employers and business owners have to comply with strict regulations, which include the provision of specialist workwear if required, and exemplary hygiene standards.