Published: Monday 17 July 2023
Updated: Monday 17 July 2023
Maharaja Food and Wine shop in Golborne Road, North Kensington were taken to court on Wednesday 5 July 2023 by the Council for failing to meet food hygiene standards and were instructed to pay over £8,000 towards Council’s legal costs following a routine inspection by Kensington and Chelsea food safety officers.
Why did the food hygiene rating drop to zero?
Council officers first visited the premises on Tuesday 16 May 2023 and found mice infestation and the business agreed to voluntarily close. Officers gave clear guidance to the business owner on what was needed to improve to comply with the law.
On Thursday 18 May 2023, officers revisited the shop in North Kensington to check on the conditions and found no improvements since their last visit. Upon further inspection, officers found mice droppings on shelves and on food packaging that had been gnawed by mice. They also discovered dead mice in the shop and noticed poor cleaning throughout the shop floor areas. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served on the business operator as there was an imminent risk to health which resulted in their food hygiene rating drop to zero.
What has the business done to improve?
Council’s food safety officers offered advice and supported the business to improve hygiene conditions in the shop and following a deep clean, pest proofing and visits by a pest control contractor, the business were allowed to reopen after officers revisited on Friday 19 May 2023 and were satisfied it was no longer an imminent risk to the public.
Cllr Josh Rendall, Lead Member for Local Economy and Employment, said:
“The vast majority of our businesses maintain high standards but in this case hygiene standards were not met by the business who ignored advice given by our food safety officers putting members of public at risk.
Our officers acted and took necessary steps to protect our residents and consumers by ensuring the business was only allowed to recommence once they were safe and complying with the food safety law.”
The team works very closely with businesses to guide and advise them to ensure they comply with law but where there is an imminent risk, appropriate action will be taken where required to protect members of public.
How do I report a problem with food safety?
To report a food safety concern, please fill out the online form or call on 020 7361 3002 or email [email protected].