NEWS IN BRIEF

‘Rats’ takeaway boss to pay £3k

THE owner of an Indian takeaway that was found littered with rat droppings has been ordered to pay more than £3,000.

Swansea Council’s food hygiene inspectors were scrambled to Bengal Spice in March 2017 after evidence of rodents was discovered in the adjoining flat.

An inspection at the takeaway, in Townhill Road, Townhill, disclosed further rat droppings in food storage areas and throughout the building.

Council officers immediately closed the business so it could be cleaned and pest control work could be carried out.

The inspection at Bengal Spice also found other serious hygiene failures – much of the kitchen was dirty, and filthy kitchen equipment was in poor condition.

Food management records, which are legally required to be kept, had not been completed since November 2015.

A food hygiene prosecution was then taken against the owner, Jalal Uddin, who pleaded guilty to seven breaches of food hygiene regulations at Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined a total of £2,250, along with costs of £923.

The Bengal Spice has since re-opened and was inspected in June 2017. It has been awarded a score of three under the national Food Hygiene Rating system.