Disgusting scenes in Indian restaurant where rats run through exposed food

Two men have been taken to court over serious hygiene breaches at their Indian restaurant. Rats infested a warehouse in Swaddesh, Kenfig Hill, where exposed food was stored, Cardiff Magistrates Court was told.

Mohammed Eamon Rahman, 35, who played down the problems in an interview with WalesOnline last year, and Mustaq Ahmed, 28, were involved in the management of Swaddesh. In May 2022, environmental protection authorities received a report from a citizen who reported that a rat had been seen in the restaurant. At the time, the company had a “satisfactory” food hygiene rating of three out of five.

“When officers visited the premises, they found an active pest infestation with a notable lack of effective pest control procedures,” said a spokeswoman for the Joint Regulatory Services (SRS). “Mouse droppings were found in the front dining room of the restaurant, in pantries where food equipment and exposed foods such as potatoes and onions were stored, creating a high risk of direct contamination. Officials found that pest outbreaks must be discovered during routine pest control inspections.

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“General hygiene and cleanliness of the premises was also unsatisfactory, with visible food residue and dirt under equipment, as well as dirty surfaces touched by hands. The kitchen equipment appeared dirty and some equipment, such as cutting boards, were very worn and damaged, but staff were still using them.’

The court was told the company processed raw meat, including chicken and lamb, as well as ready-to-eat foods such as fresh salads. There was no soap in the main kitchen or staff bathroom, just hand sanitizer. There was also no food safety management system. The inspection gave a score of zero, which means “urgent improvement is needed”.

Swaddesh voluntarily closed to do a deep clean, fix all pest hotspots and get rid of rats. “Following a further inspection six days later, it was found that business had improved significantly and the rat infestation had been eradicated,” said an SRS spokeswoman. “However, there was still no soap on the premises. Only when soap stocks were replenished was the notice of voluntary closure lifted.

“The investigation was complicated by allegations that Mr. Ahmed and his company had taken over management of the business from Mr. Rahman, and that the latter initially called himself simply manager of the restaurant,” he added. But in the end, both men pleaded guilty to eight counts of food hygiene violations.

The restaurant has closed and both defendants are receiving benefits. District Judge Steve Harms took this into consideration and gave them credit for their guilty pleas. Ahmed, of Gloucester Street, Cardiff, was fined £235 and ordered to pay £125 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £95. Rahman, of Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, was fined £380 and ordered to pay £ 250 court costs and a victim surcharge of £152. He was also permanently banned from taking part in the management of the food business.

District Judge Harmes said the restaurant posed a potential threat to the public. He added that Rahman was responsible for the deal, but it could also be said that Ahmed “has his fingerprints”.

Last year, Rahman complained about the zero rating and said the problems were mainly related to paperwork. At the time he said: “I was happy. I did pretty well when I was given eight to eleven tables a week. Now I have no tables and I’ve been banned from Uber Eats and Just Eat. . You need at least one star to have it there. It literally ruined me. Ranking will kill me sooner. I want to close tomorrow. We will probably close in a month and a half if things stay the same. I lost hope. It exhausts me.”

Following the court case, Bridgend county councilor Rhys Goode, who chairs the Joint Regulatory Services Committee, said: “We welcome the fines imposed on the two directors responsible for the restaurant and the ban on Mr Rahman from running future establishments. food.

“The findings by Swaddesh restaurant managers are a stark reminder of the importance of monitoring food hygiene and the consequences when companies make mistakes or fail to take responsibility for their facilities. “The Council, through its Joint Regulatory Services, will use a full range of food hygiene interventions to address poorly performing food businesses and the risk they pose to the public.”