The two operators of Marmaris Kebab House in Wales have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 (USD 12,700) in fines and costs after a food poisoning incident that hospitalized 11 people and affected over 50 customers, according to the BBC.
Sami Abdullah, 46, and Hassan Saritag, 38, admitted to food hygiene offences related to the February 2023 outbreak. The case was heard at Newport Magistrates’ Court, where investigators revealed the outbreak was linked to shigella bacteria, likely caused by improper separation of washed and unwashed vegetables during coleslaw preparation.
The court heard detailed accounts of the outbreak’s significant impact on the local community, most notably, an 11-year-old customer who was sickened in the outbreak subsequently developed diabetes. District Judge Sophie Toms stressed the critical nature of the food safety failures, stating that the restaurant’s success fundamentally depends on maintaining customer trust and safety.
Investigators concluded that the outbreak involved 51 documented cases. While the exact source could not be definitively determined, food safety experts pinpointed the most likely cause as cross-contamination during food preparation, specifically the improper handling of vegetables used in coleslaw.
Both defendants had previously unblemished records in the food service industry. Abdullah’s defense lawyer highlighted his long history working in restaurants without previous hygiene issues. Similarly, Saritag’s legal representation described the incident as an “isolated breach” involving a rare form of E. coli, suggesting this was an unprecedented event for the business.
The financial penalties reflected the severity of the incident. Abdullah was fined £2,000 (USD 2,549), while Saritag received a £3,065 (USD 3,907) fine. Both were additionally ordered to pay £2,792 (USD 3,559) in court costs, bringing the total financial consequence to over £10,000 (USD 12,700).
Jatinder Paul, a public health lawyer representing some of the victims, provided a powerful statement about the incident, stressing the potential long-term health complications from food-related illnesses and expressed hope that the legal proceedings would encourage more rigorous food safety practices across the food service industry.
Commenting on this story, one national shigella lawyer said, “The case serves as an example of the potential health risks associated with improper food handling and preparation in commercial food service settings. Shigella infections can have severe consequences and result in seizures, confusion, and dehydration, which can lead to other complications such as kidney failure.”
