Undercooked chicken sold from takeaway business

Coventry City Council has welcomed the successful prosecution of the owner of a takeaway who sold under-cooked chicken.

Mr Falzihaq Baig, owner of Pizza Hot, Humber Road, Stoke, pleaded guilty to two hygiene offences at Coventry Magistrates Court last week. (26 May).

The 25-year-old admitted failing to place food on the market which is safe and failing to ensure that food handlers were suitably trained.

A meal of chicken and chips was purchased by a member of the public in October last year.  When the customer went to eat a piece of chicken they noticed that the meat appeared to be very pink and not thoroughly cooked.

They contacted Coventry City Council's Environmental Health team and an officer arranged to collect the chicken. Officers thoroughly examined the piece of meat and it could be seen that it was very pink in colour and did not look thoroughly cooked.

Councillor Phil Townshend, Coventry City Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Equalities, said the incident could have been extremely dangerous.

"Chicken must always be thoroughly cooked throughout as food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter can be present," he said.

"These bacteria can give rise to the risk of food poisoning or serious illness so the potential threat to the general public is obvious."

Officers visited Pizza Hot and found that staff were not trained in how to cook chicken safely. A Hygiene Improvement Notice was served which required that training was provided. Officers revisited and found that staff had received food hygiene training.

Mr Baig received a fine of £395 and was ordered to pay legal costs of £456 and a £15 victim surcharge.