Solihull takeaway, Papi’s Pizza Ltd has been fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £2100 by Birmingham Magistrates Court for advertising a false food hygiene rating.
The Lyndon Road based pizza takeaway business which is owned by Qaisar Matloob displayed a food hygiene rating sticker of five, the highest possible rating meaning ‘very good’, despite never having registered as a food business with Solihull Council or having an inspection from its food officers.
Mr Matloob has also been found guilty of distributing 1200 leaflets displaying the fictitious food hygiene rating score prior to the shop’s opening on 9 August 2019. As a result of the fake claims, on 5 October Mr Matloob was fined £150 with £150 costs and Papi’s Pizza Ltd were fined £1500 with £150 costs and £150 victim surcharge.
Ranging from zero (urgent improvement required) to five (very good), the scheme reflects the standard of food hygiene found on the date of inspection by a local authority.
Councillor Alison Rolf, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Stronger & Safer Communities, commented: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is well recognised by the public and many people use the rating scores to choose where to eat. Mr Matloob’s actions could have seriously undermined the credibility and integrity of the scheme.
“Solihull Trading Standards will continue to monitor the activity of traders in Solihull and will act robustly when the law is broken.”