Pizza Hut was shut down and fined £33,000 due to rats chewing on jalapeno packaging.

The beloved Pizza Hut in Ponders End has been forced to close its doors due to some concerning health and safety issues. Upon a visit from the council in October 2022, the Enfield branch received a disappointing one-star hygiene rating, which is considered below the standard for food law compliance. Upon further inspection, it was revealed that the restaurant had a rat infestation and was not properly maintaining cleanliness and pest-proofing measures.

The council officers were shocked to find rat droppings, evidence of gnaw marks on food packaging, and a general lack of cleanliness throughout the store. Even the sauce pots in the storage room were not spared from the pesky rodents. As a result, the store was immediately shut down by Mizan Syed, the franchisee and sole director of Exultant Limited, citing a potential risk to the public's health.

In December 2023, Exultant Limited appeared in court and pleaded guilty to all charges, while Mr. Syed maintained his innocence and argued for a "no case to answer" verdict. However, the District Judge found him guilty, and the company was fined £20,000 with additional costs of £1,258.41. On top of that, Mr. Syed himself was handed a £2,000 fine, along with costs of £6,528.41 and a surcharge of £800, bringing the total fines to over £30,000.

This news has caused quite a stir, especially since Pizza Hut is known for its delicious pizzas and family-friendly atmosphere. A spokesperson for the company released a statement, assuring customers that they take health and safety seriously and expect all their locations to uphold certain standards. They are currently in communication with the affected restaurant and are working to address the situation.

Pizza Hut has over 140 dine-in locations across the country, and their parent company, Heart with Smart, recently announced plans to invest £10 million in touch-screen ordering machines to save money on labor costs. This announcement came after the government's budget was revealed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last month. In the meantime, pizza lovers in Ponders End will have to find another spot to satisfy their cravings, but we hope to see the beloved Pizza Hut up and running again soon. For more news on London, be sure to check out The Agency's London news hub.

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