A collection of stomach-churning photos show the inside of a Chinese takeaway which was hit with £6k fine over being a "serious risk to health". Health inspectors claim to have found a mouse infestation and droppings inside the Kensington Takeaway.
The establishment in Liverpool was under inspection back in 2021 when environmental health officers came across the disgusting conditions. Liverpool City Council discovered an infestation of vermin and inadequate pest control measures in place in the business.
The Liverpool Echo reports that officers found mouse droppings throughout the premises, including on food preparation equipment and on food packaging. They also discovered and a number of holes were discovered which provided rodents with access.
Environmental health officers say that the takeaway lacked regular and effective cleaning protocols. These poor cleaning practices resulted in a build-up of food debris and grease.
Due to the conditions inside the takeaway being so unhygienic the business was closed immediately because of an "imminent risk to health." After the forced closure was ordered, remedial works were undertaken and the takeaway was given permission to re-open.
Another inspection took place in March 2022, and again, mouse droppings were evident, regular cleaning was not taking place and there were still some gaps and holes which were acting as entry points for mice. The premises was closed to the public once again while improvement works took place.
The takeaway reopened in April 2022 following another assessment by officers. The business was taken to court for a case regarding the hygiene failures heard last month by Liverpool Crown Court.
The Director of Kensington Takeaway Ltd, Mr Keihan Nikseresht Somehsaraei, has now been fined £5,200, plus costs of £750 and £190 victim surcharge after pleasing guilty to 20 breaches of food safety hygiene regulations. In sentencing, District Judge Boswell said the conditions posed a serious risk to the health of the customer and “common sense tells you that the premises were unacceptable”.
Kensington Takeaway is no longer operational and the premises is now under the management of a new food business operator. Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, lead cabinet member for the Neighbourhoods portfolio, said: “This case shows a shocking disregard for people’s health and the terrible state of the takeaway could have resulted in many customers becoming extremely unwell.
“It’s a significant fine and highlights just how seriously we take these sorts of offences. It is unacceptable to operate a business in this manner and we simply won’t tolerate it.
“This case sends out a strong message to food outlets across the city - don’t be complacent. Our team doesn’t just carry out one-off visits, they will come back to inspect any premises to check the appropriate standards are being maintained, and if they’re not, action will be taken.
“I’d like to thank our environmental health team, the officers provide an incredible service across the city so that residents and visitors can, rightly so, expect the highest possible standards when they visit any food outlet.”
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