READING Borough Council has seen a September “crackdown” on food safety in premises across town following standards breaches in businesses.
The council says that two businesses were shown to have posed serious health risks during last month, including dangerously stored gas canisters and poor food hygiene.
Routine inspections carried out in September uncovered serious health risks at Momo House, a Nepalese restaurant in Farnham Drive, Caversham.
The venue had replaced their usual mains gas supply with five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for kitchen use.
Appliances connected to the mains had been removed and replaced with equipment purchased through social media, meaning the the gas canisters could be connected with a shortened hose– without the need for a gas engineer.
Highly-combustable gas bottles were found covered in grease and at risk of exploding due to their storage near tandoori ovens.
The premises also had no hot water for handwashing or cleaning.
Officers immediately worked with the business to close temporarily while the premises were ventilated and arrangements could be put in place for the gas canisters to be safely removed.
Later in the same week, another routine inspection at The Peri Peri Chicken Hut, Whitley Street, Reading, officers observed “widespread” cockroach activity throughout the restaurant area and kitchen.
Young and mature cockroaches were found in the salad bar, drinks storage areas, under sinks, and behind fridges.
The cockroaches were found in various stages of life, indicating that they had likely been active at the property for more than three months.
The council believes that the business was taken on by new owners in 2019, who had failed to notify the council and update its registration.
Officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, immediately closing the restaurant due to the imminent risk to public health
They are working towards a court hearing for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order, formally keeping premises closed for remedial work and deep cleaning to commence.
Environmental Health officers will monitor the business closely, provide advice and information, and inspect the premises as soon as they are ready to reopen.
It also follows the emergency closure of Zaika, The Paan Shop, on Oxford Road, which faced closure over serious health concerns earlier this year.
Zaika was recently cleared to re-open by Reading Borough Council after a visit in September found the venue to be “spotlessly clean.”
Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Public Health and Education, said: “These cases underscore the vital work of Reading’s public protection team, constantly monitoring businesses across the borough to ensure they are supported to operate on a level playing field, and quickly intervening with those who dangerously cut corners to protect the public.
“Anyone with concerns about a food business in Reading can report them, in confidence, to consumer.protection@reading.gov.uk.”
