Edinburgh restaurant fined for filthy conditions

19th January 2010, 2:15pm

Edinburgh city centre restaurant, Bar Napoli, has been fined £1,500 after pleading guilty to two charges related to breaches of the Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations.

Giorgio Crolla, the owner of the business based at 75 Hanover Street, pled guilty on Friday 15 January 2010 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The restaurant was inspected on 31 August 2009 and Environmental Health Officers found a large build up of filth, dirty stagnant water and food debris underneath and behind equipment. This was creating a breeding ground for pests, including small sewage flies, large house flies and Dermestes (Hide) Beetle, which are an indication of very poor cleanliness.

Next to the food preparation table there was a large accumulation of dirty dishes and equipment from the previous night. The food preparation sink and equipment wash sink were both full of dirty equipment and dishes.

On checking the wash hand basin the officers found that it was obstructed by a dirty chopping board and some dirty containers. It was also noted that the wall underneath the wash hand basin was in a poor state of repair with exposed plaster work and concrete, which was crumbling on to floor. They also noted a large accumulation of cardboard, food waste and waste oil blocking the rear fire exit door of the kitchen. This accumulation spread across to the floor to the ice machine, under which was a further accumulation of food debris and stagnant water the water arising from a leak coming from the ice machine.

Due to these conditions and that the flies could contaminate food, the accused agreed to voluntarily close the premises until the premises could be thoroughly cleaned and appropriate pest treatment carried out.

Officers returned later that night and as they considered there was no longer an imminent risk to health they permitted the premises to reopen.

On 7th September 2009 the premises were re-inspected at which time they were much improved and it was apparent that the insecticide spray was killing off the Hide Beetle.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, environment leader, said: "This case should send a strong message to all food business operators in the city that we will not hesitate to take immediate action in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh's residents and visitors. It is encouraging to note that this food business operator accepted responsibility for the food hygiene breaches committed in this case by pleading guilty."

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