The former owners of a kebab shop behind a food poisoning outbreak that left 11 people in hospital have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in fines and costs.
Sami Abdullah, 46, and Hassan Saritag, 38, each admitted food hygiene offences related to Marmaris Kebab House in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.
More than 50 customers became ill from food served that was affected by shigella bacteria, including 11 people who were hospitalised as a result.
An investigation found it was associated with a failure to separate washed and unwashed vegetables in the preparation of coleslaw, although it is understood that the precise cause could not officially be determined.
Takeaway director Abdullah and his associate Saritag admitted selling unsafe food in February 2023, as well as failures in maintaining proper food hygiene and record keeping.
Abdullah was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine, while Saritag was fined £3,065.
Both were also ordered to pay £2,792 in costs.
A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “Monmouthshire County Council’s Environmental Health Team has successfully prosecuted the owner and the manager of the Marmaris Kebab House, 34 Cross Street, Abergavenny.
“At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, 11th December 2024, Company Director Hassan Saritag and Manager Sami Abdullah were fined £3065 and £2000, respectively.
“Both had pleaded guilty to three charges at an earlier hearing in April 2024. The authority was awarded full costs.
“The offences were made under the Food Safety Act 1990, namely;
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Failing to register a food business,
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Failing to have in place a written food safety management system and
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Selling unfit food.
“The Environmental Health Department became aware of cases of food poisoning illness, which appeared to be linked to the business, in February 2023. An extensive investigation by the department and Public Health Wales showed that the illness had been caused by food sold from the business on the night of the 10th and 11th of February. Over 50 cases of illness were investigated, 11 of the people affected were hospitalised.
“Every new food business must register with their local authority. This is a legal requirement, and it begins the process of working with the local Environmental Health Department to develop a safe and successful food business.
“This case demonstrates how easily things can go wrong and the serious effect that can have on people’s lives. Food businesses are required by law to have a suitable written food safety management system, which must be shared with all staff working in the business.
“Again, the local authority’s food safety team can assist with developing a suitable food safety management system.
“The business at Cross Street is now under new management.”