Takeaway owner takes away food safety fine

Dirty equipment and the risk of serving contaminated food has resulted in a fine for a Leeds takeaway.

Cau Tuyet Phung, operator of Mr Phungs, 4 Selby Avenue, was called to appear before Leeds magistrates and was found guilty of contravening a number of food safety rules.

Phung was fined £1500 and must also pay £2745.05 in costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

During a routine inspection at Mr Phungs on 15 December 2014, environmental health officers found unhygienic conditions in the areas used to prepare food.

Offences committed by Phung included failure to protect food from possible contamination, failure to keep the premises clean, failure to keep items of equipment clean and failure to put in place and implement a food safety management system.

Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for environmental protection and community safety, said:

“For any food business, it makes good business – and common – sense to keep your premises clean and food management practices up to scratch.

“There is no excuse for letting food safety standards fall to levels where you end up putting your customers at risk and we won’t stand for it when you do.”

Leeds City Council regulates all food businesses in Leeds and environmental health officers regularly inspect restaurants, takeaways and shops to ensure they comply with strict food safety legislation.

The outcome of these inspections is a rating based on the Food Standard Agency’s national food hygiene rating scheme.

You can check ratings at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/.

Businesses can contact the food safety team at Leeds City Council for advice and residents can report any concerns on 0113 247 6286 or food.safety@leeds.gov.uk.