A York restaurant found in breach of multiple food safety regulations has been ordered to pay more than £7,000.
It follows visits to the premises on several occasions by City of York Council regulators.
Now the council is urging anyone with concerns about a food business to report them.
York Magistrates’ Court heard that Athithi, an Indian restaurant on Fishergate, had failed to act after being caught breaching food standards more than once.
Council environmental health officers visited Athithi four times between August 2022 and August 2023, during which breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations were recorded.
On the fourth visit by officers, the business was found not to have addressed the issues.
The council then prosecuted Masala Craft Ltd, York – which owns the restaurant.
The four offences were:
- the food premises had not been kept clean
- food equipment was not kept clean
- the kitchen was in a poor state of repair
- and there was a longstanding failure to manage food safety within the business.
Amar Singh Rajput, director of Masala Craft Ltd, pleaded guilty to all charges at York Magistrates’ Court on 27 October. The magistrates ordered him to pay a £7,702.67 in fines and costs.
Cllr Kate Ravilious, York council’s joint executive member for environment and climate emergency, said: “York offers many very good food premises and we want customers from the city and beyond to be confident in the quality of all the restaurants and takeaways they visit.
“Thanks to our food hygiene team’s vigilance, these issues have been identified and customers protected.
“We give advice which, if not complied with, can lead to legal action. We welcome customers reporting concerns.”
You can submit a report via email to [email protected].
Advice on food hygiene is available on the York council website here. Any businesses wanting tailored advice and guidance can call on (01904) 551525.