Kebab shop owner 'failed to respect food safety standards'

It apparently took numerous visits before the owner of a Birmingham kebab shop managed to bring levels of food hygiene up to a "basic acceptable level".

Sikhwhat Hussain has been ordered to pay £1,381 in addition a fine of £900 in relation to offences – which may have been avoided with online training - he pleaded guilty to, the Birmingham Mail reports.

Although environmental health officers had issued Mr Hussain with a list of amendments that needed tending to as a matter of urgency, they returned three days later to find no changes had been made.

Christine Howrie, prosecuting, described the filthy conditions evident in the takeaway.

"The rear yard, which was strewn with litter and food debris, also had bags of potatoes that had rat droppings on them," she said.

Last month, councillor David Stanley, member of the Dudley cabinet for the environment and culture, claimed that ensuring acceptable standards are adhered to by food outlets should be a legal duty.