These were the dirty and unsanitary conditions environmental health inspectors found when they visited an illegal chicken factory in Oldham. Following the inspection, which uncovered blocked drains, filthy walls and floors and a disconnected wash basin, Boola Halal Limited was told to stop trading.
But the firm, which supplies chicken to takeaways and restaurants, ignored the order and carried on working illegally. Now the company and its owner have been ordered by magistrates to hand over more than £8,700 after the case was taken to court.
Environmental health officers discovered the plant at Thornton House, Crossbank Street, was operating without permission from the Food Standards Agency in February. During a visit the officers found there was no washbasin in the cutting room as it had been disconnected, drains were blocked and damaged and the walls and flooring dirty.
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Walls inside the walk-in chiller were also found in a poor state of repair with internal insulation exposed and the refuse area was dirty, with a blocked drain causing water to back up. The company, now trading as Singlemorn UK Limited, was immediately issued with a remedial action notice which required it to stop operating until the FSA granted permission.
But the business ignored the order and carried on working. At Tameside magistrates' court director Sajjad Hussain, 32 of Ewan Street, Manchester and Boola Halal Limited and Singlemorn UK Limited pleaded guilty to four charges under Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
They were ordered to pay a total of £8,738 in fines, costs and victim surcharges. Emma Barton, Oldham council's executive director for place and economic growth, said: "Food hygiene regulations are in in place for a reason – to protect members of the public and to ensure high standards are maintained.
"Businesses must operate within these laws. Our staff will continue to visit premises and take action against those who break the law."
