Legal News

Birmingham City Council has prosecuted a popular Birmingham restaurant for breaches of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

Environmental health officers visited the Edmunds Fine Dining restaurant on 20 January 2015 and found mouse droppings throughout the premises, as well as dirty conditions in the bar area and kitchen, which posed an imminent risk of injury to health.

In addition, milk and cream were found that were five days past their use-by dates.

Edmunds Fine Dining at 6 Brindleyplace in Birmingham is operated by Casamou Limited.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued and the food business was formally closed on the same day. Items of food found to be out-of-date were disposed of immediately.

Edmunds Fine Dining worked with environmental health officers to improve standards – and the restaurant was allowed to reopen on 21 January 2015.

In March 2016 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Casamou Limited pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and was fined £5,300 and ordered to pay £1,830 in costs.

Chair of Birmingham City Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, Councillor Barbara Dring said:

“People should be able to have confidence in the safety of the food served and cleanliness of any food business in Birmingham – regardless of whether it’s a takeaway or a posh restaurant.

“Edmunds is a place diners often go to for a special occasion, so they would not expect the safety of its food or cleanliness of its kitchen to be questioned – but this case shows even the most reputable or popular restaurants can have sub-standard practices.

“We want the city’s food businesses to thrive – and as such our officers work closely with premises to ensure they achieve the necessary standards required to operate safely.”

The food business was last inspected on 31 March 2015, when it received a Food Standards Agency rating of 5, denoting “very good”.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise on charges relating to public protection offences, such as breaches of health and safety regulations, as well as food safety breaches, weights and measures and mislabelling offences, selling illegal alcohol or tobacco, selling counterfeit goods, or selling defective produce.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal solicitor can advise on public protection offences before charges are brought and at the start of an investigation.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.