Leeds city centre restaurant operator fined for poor food hygiene standards

An operator of a Leeds city centre restaurant has received a fine of over £700 after pleading guilty to a number of food hygiene offences.

This follows officers of Leeds City Council’s Environmental Health Team undertaking an inspection of Bar Red on Queen Square. During the inspection, three contraventions of food safety were found. These included; failure to protect food from possible contamination; failure to keep the premises clean and in good repair and condition; failure to keep items of equipment clean.

In admitting the charges at Leeds Magistrates Court, Mr Dong Feng Luo was fined in total £730. This comprised of a 200 fine, costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £30.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and sustainability, said:

“All operators of restaurants and takeaways in Leeds have a responsibility to members of their staff and the public to ensure that their premises are complying fully with food safety legislation.

“We will not compromise or accept any half measures on this issue, and people can be assured that we will prosecute through the courts if it is found by our inspectors that appropriate food safety laws are not being upheld.”

Leeds City Council regulates all food businesses in Leeds and environmental health officers regularly inspect restaurants, takeaways and shops to ensure they comply with strict food safety legislation.

The outcome of these inspections is a rating based on the Food Standard Agency’s national food hygiene rating scheme.

You can check ratings at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/.

Businesses can contact the food safety team at Leeds City Council for advice and residents can report any concerns on 0113 378 5900 or food.safety@leeds.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

The case was heard at Leeds District Magistrates Court on 11 September 2017.