Sandwich firm owner pleads guilty to rat infestation
Mohammed Patel, owner of Deli Sensi, was prosecuted for 17 offences at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday September 21 under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) regulations 2013.
The case was brought to by Kirklees Council, after it witnessed a number of offences at two premises, at Field Lane, Batley, and Bretton Street Enterprise Centre, Dewsbury.
Council environmental health officers closed the Batley site last October after rat droppings were found in the area where food was being made.
Serious risk of cross-contamination
Officers also reported that the site was in a filthy condition, with no hot water. Food was left at a serious risk of cross-contamination.
In January this year, health officers found high risk foods and incorrect labelling of sandwich ‘use by’ dates at the Bretton Street premises.
Other food hygiene offences at both locations included the lack of a food management system, failing to provide training, providing false or misleading information, and having an unsuitable delivery vehicle for sandwiches to shops.
Patel is due to be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on November 4.
Deli Sensi is part of Batley-based Sensi Group Ltd, which also has a wholesale arm.
Mice and flies
Meanwhile, in August, an Ealing-based factory owner was banned from running food businesses for life, after her premises was found to be infested with mice and flies.
Mandakini Bhatt, sole director at RS UK Food Ltd, was prosecuted by Ealing Council for failing to keep her factory clean.
In June, a Newport-based Severnside Provisions and its director Anthony O’Sullivan were ordered to pay a combined total of more than £400,000, after the firm’s turkeys were found left outside to defrost in dirty water.
The 2013 investigation found large quantities of turkeys defrosting outside in dirty water, prompting a Food Standards Agency recall of those already sold.
Food safety conference: still time to book
- There’s still time to book your place at Food Manufacture’s one-day, safety conference dedicated to improving food and drink safety standards.
- Chaired by Professor Colin Dennis, and featuring speakers from the likes of Nestlé Research Center, Campden BRI and the Food Crime Unit, the conference is entitled Boosting consumer confidence in times of change.
- It will take place etc.venues, Prospero House, London on Thursday October 13.
Reserve your place at next month’s event here .
