The operator of a Belfast restaurant has been fined £2,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court after live insects were found in food storage and preparation areas.
Red Belfast was fined in a case brought by Belfast City Council following a routine inspection of the restaurant on Great Victoria Street in May 2019 and follow-ups.
During inspections, Environmental Health officers found that the premises, including equipment, was ‘not kept clean’ and was in some ‘disrepair’. It also found that food was stored in a manner that presented a ‘risk of contamination’ and staff handling food ‘did not maintain a high degree of personal hygiene.’
Officers found a number of live insects in food storage and preparation areas which was attributed to a lack of satisfactory cleaning practices.
The restaurant was given a rating of one under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, meaning that ‘major improvement’ is necessary.
The rating must be displayed at the entrance to the premises, and will remain in place until the business is reassessed at its next scheduled inspection, or until an application for a re-inspection is made by the operator.
The council confirmed that conditions at the premises have subsequently improved to their satisfaction.