The former operator of an Indian restaurant in Aberdeen has been fined almost £800 for breaching food hygiene standards.
Sujath Ali, who ran Zara’s Indian Resturant, Burnside Drive, Dyce, was issued with improvement notices in 2013 following a series of inspections.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, he admitted four charges of failing to comply with the orders, although his solicitor stressed he had tried to meet the two-week deadline – despite struggling to pay staff for carrying out the extra cleaning duties.
The charges state that Ali failed to comply with the notices, which required him to ensure the kitchen and equipment were cleaned thoroughly under the Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and European Commissions Act 1972.
The 32-year-old failed to ensure all food containers, utensils, knives, peelers, cheese grater and tin opener – which were dirty and sticky when inspectors visited on July 22, 2013 – were cleaned thoroughly.
He did not ensure all the redundant fridges, including door seals, were clean – with one being used to store dirty utensils and equipment.
Inspectors also found he failed to make sure surfaces such as tap, door, fridge and freezer handles throughout the restaurant were clean, with many being dirty and greasy.
In addition, Ali, of Flat 7, 2 Deer Road, Aberdeen, did not have a food security management system in place.
His solicitor, Gregory Phillips, told the court yesterday that Ali had compiled a list of jobs to be tackled, and had begun working his way through it with his two chefs.
However, he said the restaurant was open from noon-midnight, seven days a week, leaving limited free time for them to make any real progress, and that he could not afford to pay them any extra.
He added: “Ali had been away from the business, but immediately immersed himself in this and the cleaning.
“However, it very quickly became apparent that it would not be possible to complete the works within the two weeks required in the notice. He had done all he possibly could to comply.
“The business ceased trading just two months later due to a lack of cash flow. He knows the seriousness of not complying with the notice.”
Ali was fined a total of £770.