Legal action is taken against three Southall businesses following inspections by Ealing Council’s food safety officers.

Peri Peri Original, of 96 The Green, Southall was closed by food safety officers following an inspection. Mouse droppings and an infestation of cockroaches was found throughout.

There was a lack of cleaning throughout the premises with a build-up of grease, mouse droppings and food debris found on many surfaces. Staff on the premises had not been trained in food hygiene and were not following basic good hygiene practices.

A representative of Peri Peri Original (Southall) Ltd, of 96 The Green, Southall pleaded guilty to five offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 July 2013.

The company was ordered to pay £2,500 in fines and £1445.98 towards the council’s costs.

Food hygiene officers also closed down Salama Café Restaurant, 98 The Green, Southall following an inspection on Monday, 24 June 2013. The café had poor hygiene and mouse droppings in the dining and kitchen areas. The business remained closed until Friday, 5 July when officers were satisfied that extensive cleaning and pest control had taken place.

On Thursday, 4 July the court ratified the food safety officers’ decision to close the café and ordered the company to pay £778.24 towards the council’s costs.

Ealing Magistrates’ Court also ratified the food hygiene officers’ decision to serve Shahi Nan Kebab, Station Bridge, South Road, Southall with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.

The business is not allowed to cut, marinate and assemble raw meat kebabs at the premises as it poses a high risk of cross contamination with ready-to-eat foods such as salads due to the particularly small size of the premises.

The business is allowed to bring raw meat, kebabs and doners from another shop, already assembled, to store and cook in this shop. The court ordered the company to pay £654.28 towards the council’s costs.

Leader of the council, Councillor Julian Bell said: "These are great results and show just how much work is being done to improve the food businesses operating in our borough."

"We will continue to offer training and advice to businesses that need it and take action where improvements are not being made. Poor hygiene and a blatant disregard for food safety can make people eating that food seriously ill or worse and this is just not acceptable."