A former owner of the Mogul Restaurant in Bagshot has been prosecuted by the Surrey Heath Borough Council for disregarding food safety regulations in the aftermath of a food poisoning outbreak in late 2022.
The Surrey Heath Borough Council took legal action against the previous operator of Mogul Restaurant in Bagshot, resulting in a monetary penalty of £25,000 ($31,400), an additional victim surcharge of £2,000 ($2,500), and the reimbursement of the council’s expenses, totaling more than £14,000 ($17,600).
In response to the outbreak, the restaurant was temporarily shuttered under emergency prohibition provisions, ensuring public safety during the necessary improvements.
The outbreak, which transpired between October 22 and November 1, 2022, witnessed 18 confirmed cases of Salmonella Java and led to the hospitalization of four individuals. All affected parties had consumed meals at the restaurant during the aforementioned timeframe.
Although investigations into the exact source of contamination were inconclusive, traces of Salmonella were identified in environmental samples taken from a refrigerator door handle and chopped coriander.
Surrey Heath Borough Council’s Shaun Macdonald commended the intricate nature of the investigative and prosecutorial process. He expressed gratitude to the environmental health and legal teams for their dedicated efforts.
Macdonald used the opportunity to reiterate the borough’s expectations for food establishments. “We want residents and other guests to really enjoy eating out and having special times with friends and family, without any concerns for their well-being, by ensuring the highest food hygiene standards are in place,” he emphasized.
