Yorkshire takeaway fined after inspectors found ‘evidence of an active cockroach infestation’

During a food hygiene inspection on 21 September 2022 at Oregano Pizza and Kebab on Kimberworth Road, Rotherham Council environmental health officers found ‘evidence of an active cockroach infestation’, which they said ‘posed a risk to public health’.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served on the food business operator, requiring them to immediately close the shop due to ‘unacceptable hygiene standards found by council officers’.

The takeaway was permitted to reopen on 18 October 2022, when officers visited and were ‘confident that the cockroach infestation had been cleared and the premises had been deep cleaned and disinfected’.

The defendant appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 25 January 2023, where they pleaded guilty to four food hygiene offences charged and was fined £1000. The company was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £400.

Councillor Dominic Beck, cabinet member for environment said: “Food business operators have a legal duty to keep their premises hygienic and any failure to do so will not be tolerated. Where public health is at risk council environmental health officers will take the necessary enforcement action to put controls in place.”