Food that was two months out of date and staff unable to wash their hands were among the stomach-churning health and safety breaches that saw the couple who ran a Tyneside takeaway fined. Bina and Abu Essa were prosecuted by Newcastle City Council over a series of food hygiene failings at the Jesmond Tandoori on Jesmond Road in the city.
Environmental health officers inspected the premises back in March 2024 and found it "filthy", the council reported. Officers said: "Every surface in the kitchen was dirty, there was no hand sanitizer, cloths and sponges were filthy, food was stored in grimy containers with no use by dates, yoghurt that was two months out of date had curdled, and food temperature checks were not being monitored. As a result, the premises received a zero rating."
A month later, the owners paid for a second inspection, but inspectors found the takeaway was "still dirty". Despite being told to improve or face action, a third inspection five months later found things were still troubling.
Inspectors said: "Staff were unable to wash their hands because a metal bench was obstructing the wash basin. A container of food which had gone mouldy was stored in one fridge and a bucket of rancid smelling liquid and chicken was in another. Food was stored in a haphazard manner without dates and not fully covered, increasing the risk of cross contamination."
As a result, the council launched a prosecution. Bina Essa - of Railway Terrace in Wallsend - had been listed as the business operator. Both she and husband Abu Essa admitted five breaches of Food Safety and Hygiene rules and were subsequently fined at magistrates' court.
Each was told to pay £480 in fines, reduced to £320 for guilty pleas. They were also ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 in legal costs - adding up to a total of £533 each.
The council reported that in mitigation, the court heard the couple were struggling to cope with the business and staff were not listening to Mrs Essa. They have now given up control of the business, though Mrs Ess is a part-time kitchen assistant there for new owners.
Newcastle City Council, deputy leader Coun Alex Hay, who has responsibility for regulatory services, said: "Anyone who sees the photos of these premises will be horrified. It was filthy. With very poor food management it was also a serious risk to anyone with food allergies.
"We can't stress enough the importance of good hygiene and food management in takeaways. It's common sense and what the public rightly expect. I am pleased they're no longer running this takeaway, and I hope others note this prosecution because we won't hesitate to prosecute you if you put the public at risk."
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