Woking Borough Council has successfully prosecuted the food business operator of Creams Ice Cream Parlour (Chertsey Road, Woking), for failing to comply with three Hygiene Improvement Notices under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

The prosecution at Guildford Magistrates’ Court followed a routine hygiene inspection of the premises in February 2016 of which Mr Khalique Shahin of York Road, Woking was the registered food business operator. The inspection revealed a number of hygiene breaches, the most significant being:

  • a broken freezer door handle, which meant that the freezer was operating ineffectively and therefore presented a risk when storing dairy products
  • ineffective waste storage and collection arrangements
  • lack of a Food Safety Management System (it is a legal requirement for all food businesses to document the hazards associated with their food business and the controls they implement to keep food safe).

Upon return to the premises in June 2016, Environmental Health Officers discovered that none of these breaches had been addressed and the decision was made to issue three Hygiene Improvement Notices to Mr Shahin.

Despite subsequent premises visits and phone calls to Mr Shahin, he did not take any action to address the ongoing issues. This left the Council with no choice but to take court proceedings against Mr Shahin.

Speaking about the prosecution, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Food and Health & Safety, Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, said: “Creams was a popular destination for many young families, yet Mr Shahin chose to expose his customers to an unacceptable risk of illness due to poor hygiene practices.

“As this case highlights, food businesses must ensure they comply with the relevant food hygiene legislation to make sure its food is safe to serve. If Mr Shahin had heeded the many warnings and acted upon our advice, this court action would not have been necessary.

“Our Environmental Health team’s role is to ensure that food businesses comply with regulations and to provide support and advice to safeguard the highest hygiene standards.”

Mr Shahin was fined £1,200 for each offence, a victim surcharge of £120 and was ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £725. A total of £4,445. Creams Ice Cream Parlour has now closed.

For more information about the hygiene of food premises in Woking, please visit www.scoresonthedorors.org.uk

Article by Woking Borough Council