Latest News - Prosecutions

Officers from Swale Borough Council visited Masala Reef, an Indian takeaway on Hope Street, multiple times throughout 2024 and 2025 to inspect the restaurant and found serious violations of the food hygiene and safety provision. 

This included an infestation of mice, poor standards of cleaning, and processes and equipment which could lead to contamination, posing a significant risk to public health. 

The restaurant did not fix these serious issues despite interventions and advice by the council, including obtaining a court order to temporarily close the business, ultimately resulting in the council instigating a prosecution.The owners have since worked closely with the council and is now complying with their legal requirements and, at their last food hygiene inspection, the restaurant has been issued a food hygiene rating of 4, good.

Zero One Nine Ltd and Shairk Uddin Ahmed, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with specified EU provisions relating to food hygiene and food safety, which is an offence contrary to the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at the Medway Magistrates’ Court on 24 April.The court ordered Zero One Nine Ltd to pay a fine of £12,000 reduced by an early guilty plea to £8,040, a victim surcharge of £2,000, prosecution Costs of £1,859.60, totalling £11,899.60. 

While Shairk Uddin Ahmed was ordered to pay £1,505 reduced by an early guilty plea to £1,003, a victim surcharge of £40, prosecution Costs of £1,859.60, totalling £3,263.60.

During the hearing the owners said they were sorry and explained that they want to continue working with the council to maintain a good standard of food hygiene and food safety.

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