AN Indian restaurant has been fined £1,350 for a series of food hygiene offences.

Mahfuz Raha, the food business operator of Preem in Newtown, pleaded guilty to nine food hygiene offences at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 29. The prosecution was brought by Powys County Council’s (PCC) environmental health team.

The court heard that environmental health officers carried out a re-visit of the inspection in August 2016, where they found unacceptable standards of cleanliness in the kitchen and food storage areas.

Food preparation equipment including the food preparation boards and the internal surfaces of the refrigerators were in a dirty condition.

The offences included failing to keep the food premises and food preparation equipment utensils cleaned and in good order and repair and failure to ensure that food handling staff maintain an adequate standard of personal hygiene. Controls were not in place to prevent cross contamination of foods.

Mr Raha also failed to register as the food business operator with the local authority despite being in control of the business for two years.

Magistrates fined Mr Raha £1,350 for the nine offences and ordered him to pay £500 costs and a £135 victim surcharge.

Paul Griffiths, the council’s strategic director for place, has warned all food businesses to take note of the penalties.

He said: “Premises that prepare and serve food to the public have a responsibility to ensure that their premises comply with food hygiene regulations.

“In this instance the required standards were not met and the action taken by our food safety officers reflects the severity of the conditions found.

“All food business operators should take notice of the penalties they may face when they do not comply with food hygiene regulations.”

The County Times was unable to get an answer when it contacted the restaurant.