Food business operators Mr Shir Rahman Ghanizada and Mr Luftur Rahman Ghanizada of Max Pizza and Kebab which trades as Immz's Pizza and Kebab pleaded guilty to food safety offences at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 12 March 2024.
The offences were identified in 2022 after the Barking and Dagenham Council’s Food Safety Team received a complaint from a member of the public regarding mice and cockroaches.
The tip off resulted in the immediate closure of the business in November 2022 after the Environmental Health Officer found a high level of mice infestation throughout Immz’s Pizza and Kebab at 14 Porters Avenue. The severity of the infestation posed significant health risks to customers and staff.
During the inspection, the officer also found that:
- The food handler had not been adequately trained or supervised in food safety awareness.
- There were no adequate hand washing facilities provided in the kitchen
- They had not taken reasonable measures to implement a food safety management system to control the contamination of food within the premises.
- The chest freezer lid was in disrepair and dirty with congealed food debris.
As a result of the unsafe conditions found, the takeaway on Porters Avenue, Dagenham was forced to close down immediately when the officer visited on 24 November 2022. The premises re-opened on 29th November 2022 following the removal of the imminent risk to health.
The owners were later summoned to court and having pleaded guilty were ordered to pay:
The company: A fine of £9,000 and costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £749, totalling £9,749.
Shir Rahman Ghanizada: A fine of £384, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £749 and a Victim Surcharge of £154, totalling £1,287.
Lutfur Rahman Ghanizada: A fine of £653, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £749 and a Victim Surcharge of £261, totalling £1,663.
Residents can find out online the Food Hygiene Rating of a food business Search for ratings | Food Hygiene Ratings
Residents can report food safety issues to the council online: www.lbbd.gov.uk/pests-pollution-noise-and-food/food-hygiene/complain-about-food-quality-or-food-premises