A KEBAB containing pieces of metal cost the owner of a takeaway £2,500.

Environmental Health Officers from Middlesbrough Council’s Public Protection Service visited Chunki Chicken at Linthorpe Road, in Middlesbrough, in September 2016 to investigate a complaint.

The Northern Echo:

During their visit the source of the metal was identified as pieces from a rusted scouring pad.

A council released reads: "Poor standards of cleanliness throughout the premises were also noted and the owner was required to make improvements.

"Further visits were made to monitor hygiene standards and when Officers visited the takeaway in December 2016 they again found poor standards of cleanliness and a lack of food safety management."

Appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 24, the operator of the business Saghir Ahmed, pleaded guilty to selling unsafe food and failing to keep his premises and food equipment clean.

Ahmed was brought back to court on Tuesday, November 14 where he was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay £913 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Head of Public Protection Judith Hedgley said: “Selling food that is contaminated with pieces of metal could have caused serious injury.

“Food business operators are required to maintain food safety measures that protect the foods they serve from risks of contamination. They are also required to ensure their premises are operated hygienically.

“At this business there was clearly a lack of food safety management, together with a failure to keep the premises clean and hygienic that led to the sale of unsafe food.”

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “Environmental Health Officers work closely with food businesses in Middlesbrough to help them understand and comply with food laws.

“However, where there are serious failings by food businesses operators, as shown in this case, they will take appropriate enforcement action to protect consumer safety.”