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Kebab shop fined after food poisoning outbreak

BBC Hassan Saritag (left) and Sami Abudullah outside magistrates court, both looking towards the cameraBBC
Hassan Saritag (left) and Sami Abudullah admitted food offences after a kebab shop they ran caused a food poisoning outbreak

The operators of a kebab shop behind a food poisoning outbreak that left 11 people in hospital have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in fines and costs.

Sami Abdullah, 46, and Hassan Saritag, 38, each admitted food hygiene offences related to Marmaris Kebab House in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

More than 50 customers became ill from food served that was affected by shigella bacteria, Newport Magistrates' Court was told.

The precise source of the outbreak could not be determined, the court heard, but an investigation found it was associated with a failure to separate washed and unwashed vegetables in the preparation of coleslaw.

Takeaway director Abdullah and his associate Saritag admitted selling unsafe food in February 2023, as well as failures in maintaining proper food hygiene and record keeping.

The court was told the outbreak involved 51 cases and had a "widespread impact" on the victims, including an 11-year-old who became ill and later developed diabetes.

District Judge Sophie Toms told them their actions had "a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of your customers".

Google The outside of Marmaris Kebab House with the name written on a grey sign above the brown door and window framesGoogle
More than 50 people became ill after eating at the Marmaris Kebab House in Abergavenny

"We all know takeaway businesses and their success is built on the trust of that business to keep people safe.

"You both failed to do that, breaking the trust of people in Abergavenny and causing significant harm," she said.

Abdullah, from Cwmbran, Torfaen, had a long history working in restaurants with no previous hygiene issue, his defence lawyer told the court.

"Mr Abdullah offers his deepest apologies to those affected and in particular those who suffered permanently," Scott Tuppen said.

Saritag also had a previously unblemished record in the food sector, his defence lawyer said.

David Leathley called it an "isolated breach" involving a rare form of E. coli, and said that "nobody saw this coming".

Jatinder Paul, a specialist public health lawyer who represented some of those affected said the effects of food poisoning should never be downplayed.

In a statement, Mr Paul said: "Gastric illness through contaminated food is serious and can lead to long term health complications, such as those experienced by our client John Inglesby.

"While nothing can change what happened, we hope that today's hearing will ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to prevent something similar from occurring in the future."

Abdullah was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine, while Saritag was fined £3,065.

Both were also ordered to pay £2,792 in costs.