A Pontypridd takeaway has been closed on the spot by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Environmental Health Officers because of the imminent risk to public health it posed.
The decision to close Ponty Fish Bar was closed on the spot by Food Health and Hygiene Experts undertaking their regular, daily inspection work.
The prompt, effective action at the Taff Street premises is yet further evidence of the important work being undertaken on behalf of the public by the Council’s Environmental Health Officers, to ensure food premises meet expected standards and are dealt with if they fail to do so.
Ponty Fish Bar has been made subject to increased visits and inspections by officers as a result of concerns regarding the situation there.
Its last inspection led to clear instructions being left with management, by EHOs to ensure:
- Staff were trained and confident in food safety measures
- Food safety systems were in place to ensure all products were stored, prepared, cooked and served safely
- That cleanliness was improved.
A follow-up visit was made this week to ensure the standards and expectations were being met, which led to officers discovering conditions at the fish bar had deteriorated so badly, they had no choice but to serve a legal notice immediately closing the premises to protect the public.
EHOs then attended Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court this morning, where the Emergency Prohibititon Notice was turned into a legally-binding closure Order, meaning the premises cannot open until it has met, and proved it has met, a series of instructions from EHOs.
Among the findings at the inspection this week, which led to the closure, were:
- Food stored in filthy freezers and other storage areas
- Dangerously poor temperature control of high risk foods
- No food management systems.
- Little or none staff awareness, training or management on food safety issues
- Fly infestations
- Slugs on the drums used to store chip cooking oil
- General unacceptable dirty conditions
- No cleaning products on site whatsoever
Environmental Health Officers have now written to the registered food business operator, Farkandah Jabin, with a list of standards that must be met – and checked – before the premises can open again. These relate to cleanliness, food management and staff training and awareness.
Dai Jones, Head of Community Protection at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This case demonstrates how robust our food safety systems are and just how quickly we can act to protect the public when necessary”.
“The Ponty Fish Bar was already under intensified scrutiny due to concerns raised in routine inspections. Unfortunately, despite intervention by Environmental Health Officers, the management failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation. They refused several offers of help and disregarded our advice. Not only did they fail to make the necessary improvements but, in fact, allowed conditions to deteriorate still further to the point where, immediate closure was necessary to protect the public.
“I hope this serves as a reassurance to the public that we do proactively monitor food premises and although we do seek to support our local businesses by helping them to comply with food hygiene standards, we will not shrink from taking robust enforcement action where needed.”
