Operators of fly-infested Leeds foodstore fined

THE operator of a Leeds foodstore which was found to be “filthy and fly-infested” has been fined by magistrates last week.

Manzoor Shah, operator of halal meat and groceries store Rashid Brothers on Roundhay Road, was fined for food hygiene offences by magistrates following an inspection in November 2015.

Shah was fined a total of £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,500 and a £120 victim surcharge.

Inspectors said that a lack of pest control measures led to flies in the main butchery and food storage areas. Dead flies were found on the floor and walls. Mr Shah could not provide evidence of a pest controller he said he’d brought in to sort out the issues.

They also found an electric fly killer with hundreds of dead insects in the tray and noted an ammonia-like smell, which they said could indicate the presence of maggots.

Food was found stored incorrectly, with grease, dirt and debris accumulating on various surfaces, poor hand washing facilities and ‘a general state of disrepair’.

Officers decided to prosecute following a lack of action to resolve Similar issues had been raised at a previous inspection and with a lack of any action to resolve them, officers decided to prosecute.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability, said:
“Environmental health officers are our eyes and ears behind the scenes in shops, restaurants and takeaways across the city and it never ceases to amaze me what they find.

“The first sign of any kind of infestation in a food premises needs to be dealt with swiftly. While some efforts were made in this case, they – along with general hygiene at the store – turned out to be wholly inadequate, leaving us no option but to prosecute.”