Takeaway fined £1350 for serving beetle larva kebab

Olimpos was closed following an inspection

Hasan Gundogdu, who runs The Olimpos Takeaway on Elm Row, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday to three charges relating to breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Food safety officers inspected the premises in October following a complaint from a member of the public.

They uncovered mouse droppings throughout the premises, with concentrated numbers in the preparation room and basement, as well as dead and live beetle larvae.

Staff from Edinburgh Scientific Service also confirmed larvae had been cooked at the takeaway.

The Olimpos Takeaway was closed for three days following the surprise inspection and has since reopened.

In court Mr Gundogdu faced charges for failing to ensure the food he sold was safe, evidenced by larva-laden kebab he put on the market, as well as storing raw materials in inappropriate conditions, and relating to the mice and beetle infestation.

As a result Mr Gundogdu was made to pay 450 for each charge, a total fine of 1350.

Speaking to the Evening News, Mr Gundogdu said the inspection was sparked from one customer complaint and that he had taken steps to improve food safety procedures. "Now everything is OK," he said.

However, Councillor Robert Aldridge, environmental leader on the council, said: "Residents and visitors to Edinburgh are entitled to expect the highest standards of food hygiene when they buy food in the city and it's important for them to have confidence that they can shop safely.

"Thanks to the vigilance and hard work shown by our staff in bringing about this fine, we can send out a clear message to all food business operators that they must adhere to food hygiene requirements or face the consequences."

In March, Sandwich Express in Leith was fined 600 for failing to control pests at its Albert Street outlet.

Inspectors found mouse droppings throughout the premises during a visit on August 16. Business owners Jarslaw and Barbara Wawszczyk were both fined 300.

The shop was allowed to reopen on August 18. Follow-up inspections confirmed that acceptable standards were being maintained.