The owner of a Salford deli food business has been prosecuted following investigations by Salford City Council. The sole operator of the business, Mr David Aubrey Weisz, entered guilty pleas at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 3 November 2023, to three food hygiene offences committed on 19 May 2022 and three food hygiene offences committed on 5 January 2023 under The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The offences related to failure to ensure that the construction of the premises prevented pest entry, failure to have adequate procedures to control pests in place, and failure to keep food premises clean. He was fined by the District Judge £333.00 with a victim surcharge of of 133.00 and £1500 costs. Officers from Salford City Council's Environmental Health Team visited the premises numerous times between 19 May 2022 and 5 January 2023. During the first inspection, officers identified a widespread pest infestation throughout the food business, exacerbated by poor cleaning and several potential pest entry points. During the first visit on 19 May 2022, Mr Weisz signed a Voluntary Prohibition and agreed to close the food business immediately. A detailed food hygiene inspection report was issued to Dovid's Deli, and a Hygiene Improvement Notice was also served to secure compliance. During a revisit on 7 June 2022, an Environmental Health Officer confirmed that sufficient measures had been taken to allow trading to resume. The Hygiene Improvement Notice had also been complied with. However, during the next routine inspection of the deli in January 2023, officers once again noted a failure to ensure the construction of the food business prevented pest entry, a failure to have adequate procedures to control pests, and a failure to keep the food premises clean. The lack of suitable improvements Mr Weisz failed to make, the recurring failures and the severity and widespread nature of the food hygiene issues discovered at this premises over a short period led to the instigation of legal proceedings, leading to today's sentencing. John Searle, Executive Director of Place, at Salford City Council, said: "We take food hygiene very seriously in Salford, and the recent prosecution of Dovid's Deli owner for multiple food hygiene offences underscores our commitment to upholding high standards. “Our Environmental Health team responded diligently to the concerns raised, offering advice and opportunities for improvement. The sentencing reflects the gravity of the situation, emphasising the importance of compliance with food safety regulations. We will continue to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our residents by holding businesses to account for negligent practices."
