The franchisee of Pizza Hut at 164-166 High Street, Ponders End and his company have been fined a combined total of £30,586.82 for breaching food safety and hygiene regulations.
Enfield Council’s Environmental Health Food Safety Team made a routine visit to the premises on 14 October 2022, where they discovered evidence of a rat infestation and droppings, food products damaged by rats, inadequate pest proofing and a lack of cleanliness.
The sole company director of Exultant Limited, Mizan Syed, who is the franchisee at the Pizza Hut takeaway immediately and voluntarily closed the premises due to an imminent risk to public health.
Subsequent visits to this Pizza Hut by the Council’s officers found inadequate cleaning practices throughout the premises, including an accumulation of debris under appliances, shelving and inadequate cleaning of food preparation surfaces.
The premises were given a one star Food Hygiene Rating (out of five). A score of below three stars is deemed to be non-compliant with food law.
At the first hearing on 7 December 2023 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Exultant Limited, pleaded guilty to all charges. Franchisee, Mizan Syed from High Wycombe, pleaded not guilty.
At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case on the first day of trial on 16 September 2024, Mr Syed made an application of ‘no case to answer’.
The District Judge dismissed his application and found there was a case to answer. After hearing Mr Syed’s defence the District Judge found him guilty of all charges.
Exultant Limited was fined £20,000 with costs of £1,258.41. Total: £21,258.41.
Mizan Syed was fined £2,000 with costs of £6,528.41 and a surcharge of £800. Total: £9,328.41.
Click here for further information on the Council's food hygiene inspections.
Picture: Rat droppings and gnaw marks on sauce pots found under shelving in the storeroom.