A married couple have been ordered to pay over £2,000 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 9th after a cockroach infestation was found at their café – Mr Tikka – on City Road last year.
On May 7, 2019, a routine food hygiene inspection was carried out at Mr Tikka, 130 City Road, which operates as a café and takeaway business selling baguettes, baked potatoes and curry dishes.
When the inspector arrived at the café unannounced, the owner, Rubi Begum was seen sweeping two live insects off the counter and white powder, believed to be insecticide, was all over the kitchen floor.
The inspector called the Duty Food Safety Officer immediately as it was clear that there was an active insect infestation at the café and takeaway business.
When the Duty Food Officer arrived later that day, a full inspection was carried out and up to 100 insects were found both dead and alive in total, food was found under the counters and splashed across the walls and dead cockroaches were even found under the tables in the dining area where people were eating.
A married couple have been ordered to pay over £2,000 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 9th after a cockroach infestation was found at their café – Mr Tikka – on City Road last year. Read more here: https://t.co/1npBzLFG8a pic.twitter.com/I4FjJoPezN
— Cardiff Council (@cardiffcouncil) July 16, 2020
Rubi Begum, the owner of the café, was asked about the cleaning regimes at the business and the inspector was informed that the floor was mopped every day.
After a cockroach trap was found under the sink, further questions were asked to confirm whether they had a contract in place with a pest control company. The response that was given by Rubi Begum is that these details would have to be confirmed by her husband, Munim Khan, as he managed the day to day running of the food business.
After the remaining customers had left, the café was voluntarily closed as the German cockroaches that were found are a significant health riskdue to presence of Salmonella on their bodies.
Cllr Michael Michael, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council said: “This case came to light through a routine inspection, as it was a new food business in Cardiff. What we found was disgusting and by taking these matters to court, we are sending a very clear message to all food businesses in the city that falling short of the legal requirements will not be tolerated.
“Our officers have worked closely with the business to ensure that a list of repairs and renovations have taken place and they have a contract in place with a pest control company. Since then, further inspections have taken place and following the inspection in May this year, the café now has a food hygiene rating of 4.”
Rubi Begum was fined £1000, ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £100. Munim Khan was fined £500, ordered to pay costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £50.
