Two Pembrokeshire food businesses have been fined for displaying invalid food hygiene stickers in court cases brought by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Arkan Ullah of Seven Spice, London Road, Pembroke Dock and Kamuran Babahan of USA Fried Chicken, Charles Street, Milford Haven were due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 16.

In relation to Ullah the Court was told that a food hygiene and standards inspection undertaken at Seven Spice on November 27, 2024 identified that there was no bilingual statement on the takeaway menu signposting customers to the business’ food hygiene rating.

A fixed penalty notice was issued but was unpaid.

A further visit on January 20, 2025 showed that the business was not displaying its most recent food hygiene rating score of 1. Instead two ratings were on display, showing scores of 4 and 5.

A further fixed penalty notice was issued but again was unpaid. Letters to the business also went unanswered.

An inspection took place in relation Babahan (USA Fried Chicken), on November 27, 2024, when it was noticed that the business was displaying the incorrect food hygiene rating sticker; a rating of 3 was on display rather than the correct rating of 1.

A fixed penalty notice was issued but was not paid. There was no response to letters written to the business.

Both Ullah and Babahan were convicted of displaying invalid food hygiene stickers, contrary to sections 9(1)(b) and 20 of the Food Hygiene (Rating) Wales Act 2013.

Ullah appeared before magistrates and entered a guilty plea.

Magistrates imposed a £660 fine and ordered him to pay £800 costs and a £264 victim surcharge.

Babahan failed to appear in court, the case was proved against him and he was found guilty in his absence.

Magistrates imposed a £1000 fine, £400 towards costs and £400 victim surcharge.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr Jacob Williams, said: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is designed to help consumers make informed decisions about where to eat or buy food.

“An essential part of that is displaying the rating where it is visible so potential customers can see clear information on the hygiene standards of the business.

“Where a business fails to display the correct rating they are committing an offence and we will take action.”