A sushi restaurant has been closed down by a court after being labelled a “threat to public safety” after a customer experienced a severe allergic reaction. Rodent droppings were even found in a storage room in the Essex restaurant. Inspectors initially gave the restaurant a one-star rating, which was later downgraded to zero stars on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
The restaurant, Sushi One, located on Baddow Road in Chelmsford, known for its all-you-can-eat sushi, has been forced to shut down following numerous warnings from the council about its poor hygiene standards, Essex Live reported.
Chelmsford City Council took decisive action to hold the restaurant owners accountable for their lack of hygiene standards.
The council’s Environmental Health team discovered uncovered raw meat stored in freezers, as well as open containers of food on the floor next to cleaning equipment, alongside evidence of rodent droppings on the premises.
The council issued multiple hygiene improvement notices, demanding immediate action to address the deficiencies.
Unfortunately, these demands were ignored by the restaurant owners, leaving the council with no choice but to take legal action.
The council identified several failures, including the absence of a documented food safety management system, poor condition of the building structure,
Among his remarks, the presiding judge said: “As to culpability, this is in the highest category.
“City Council told the company what the [problems] were, explained very clearly what had to happen and the company simply ignored it. That is a deliberate and flagrant disregard.”
Izzie Daniel, lead compliance officer for the case, says prohibition notices like this one are rarely issued.
She said: “Food outlets are under huge pressure, with rising energy costs only adding to the strains already facing their industry post-pandemic.
“A common reaction to loss of profits is to cut back on staff, but this can lead to the remaining staff being stretched too thin and standards dropping.
“No one wants to see businesses close, especially in such a trying time, which is why we always offer advice and allow them time to rectify any problems in the first instance.
“Unfortunately, in the case of Sushi One, no efforts were made to comply with notices until it was too late. We implore businesses to heed our advice at inspections, to avoid this kind of outcome.”
Sushi One can reopen its doors if it adheres to the Hygiene Improvement Notices that were issued and passes a hygiene inspection meeting the satisfaction of the City Council.
Additionally, the restaurant will be subjected to regular inspections conducted by Environmental Health officers, as is the standard procedure for all businesses.
Rose Moore, councillor responsible for a greener and safer Chelmsford, said: “While this is an extreme case, it’s important for restaurants and food outlets to remember that such outcomes will occur where warranted.
“When advice is given and notices are issued, complying will lead to better outcomes for everyone involved – customers and businesses.
“We expect businesses across the Chelmsford district to operate at the highest standards.
“Where that is not the case, Environmental Health will give them the time needed to comply and guide them in how to do so – but let this case show that Chelmsford City Council will absolutely not tolerate risk to the public, and will pursue all avenues available in order to protect people from harm.”
