Leeds eatery fined over “filthy” conditions

A LEEDS takeaway has been fined after an inspection found “filthy” conditions with grease dripping down the walls of the eatery.

Inspectors had been on a routine visit when they found that grease had collected in the ventilation systems and was dripping down the kitchen walls, as well as “filthy” containers and utensils.

Officers said he had failed to implement any kind of food safety management.

Shaan Pizza on Harehills Road was fined nearly £3,000 for hygiene offences, which saw kebab meat stored on newspapers in the freezer, and “filthy” hand contact points.

Asim Hussain, who operates Shaan Pizza on Harehills Road, appeared before magistrates earlier this week.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,118 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

Following the inspection, Hussain explained to magistrates that steps had been taken to clean the premises.

Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for environmental protection and community safety, said: “Reviews of restaurants or takeaways might give you an idea about the quality of food and service but they that can never be taken as an indication of cleanliness.

“It’s not until our environmental health officers get behind the scenes that we get a true picture of how your food is prepared and in some cases it’s not one any customer will want to see, hear or smell.

“Cases like this highlight just how important it is to check food hygiene ratings before you book a table or place that takeaway order.

“When the inaction of a food business renders food unfit for consumption or puts customer’s health at risk, we will always take action.”