Huge Fine for Southall Vegetarian Restaurant

Chini Chor broke food laws on two occasions

Chini Chor on South Road in Southall has been ordered to pay more than £155,000 for food hygiene offences.

Officers carried out two inspections on 11 October 2016 and 9 January 2017 and witnessed offences at the business five and three times respectively.

The first inspection was triggered from a member of the public regarding the cleanliness of the premises and the subsequent visit was a follow up visit to check compliance.  

Staff were seen to be handling foods without washing their hands; access to the wash hand sink was obstructed by colanders stored on the floor; equipment for preparing foods such as a cheese grater had a build-up of dirt and was not washed properly; cooked foods were stored next to a mop bucket and foods were placed in dirty cardboard boxes.    

Under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, businesses must comply with food hygiene laws.  

The owner, Mr Ravi Kumar Bakshi, pleaded guilty in Ealing Magistrates Court on Monday, 16 October 2017 and was ordered to pay more than £155,000 in fines and costs of £2,810.  

The first set of offences was given £20,000 each and for offences noted on the second visit were £25,000 each. There was a reduction of 15% for guilty plea.  

The judge stated that they were awarding the higher culpability and the heavy fines were due to no improvement noted on second visit.

The court also heard the restaurant had a blatant disregard for advice given after the first visit and had a history of low performance since 2009.  

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: “Our officers work closely with local businesses to help them to operate within the law and they give advice and to help them to be well-run and safe. 

 “Food hygiene is vitally important and businesses who aren’t complying with the law won’t be tolerated. Chini Chor showed no improvement from the council’s first visit so we’re pleased to see such a hefty fine being handed down to them. It shows that both the council and the courts are serious about enforcement and punishing those who openly break the rules.”  

The council’s regulatory services team advise food businesses to regularly check that cleaning standards are being maintained and food safety procedures are implemented at all times.    Customers can check the food hygiene rating of their favourite restaurant or takeaway on www.food.gov.uk. More information about the food hygiene is available by calling 020 8825 6666 or emailing foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk.

18 October 2017