Buddha Buddha restaurant fined for failing to display correct food hygiene rating

Buddha Buddha restaurant fined for failing to display correct food hygiene rating

A Tenby restaurant displayed a hygiene rating of 5 when the current rating for the premises was actually a 1, Magistrates have heard.

The rating of 1 for the Buddha Buddha Restaurant, Tudor Square, Tenby had been issued following an inspection of the premises by a Pembrokeshire County Council Public Protection Division Officer on November 13^th, 2023.

Food Businesses are under an obligation to display their food hygiene rating at all entrances, to give potential customers the opportunity to view the rating before entering.

When the Officer revisited the premises on January 27^th 2024, the previous food hygiene rating of a 5 was being displayed at the entrance to the premises, instead of the actual rating of 1, which was misleading to customers.

A fixed penalty notice was subsequently served on Mr Sanu Miah, the Operator of Buddha Buddha but he failed to pay, despite being given numerous opportunities to do so.

Appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on September 19^th, Mr Miah pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to display the valid food hygiene rating.

Magistrates fined Mr Miah £200 for the offence and awarded costs of £500 to the Council. A victim surcharge of £80 was also imposed.

Following the case, the County Council’s Cabinet member for Planning and Regulatory Services Councillor Jacob Williams, said: “It is very important for the success of the Food Hygiene Ratings legislation, that food businesses comply with the requirement to display the correct food hygiene rating for their premises.

"Failure to do so deprives consumers of information that they are legally entitled to view, to help make informed decisions about where they choose to eat.

 “The council is keen to ensure that all businesses display their ratings correctly and will take appropriate action where businesses fail to do so”.