Hackney food businesses warned against bogus inspectors

Food businesses in Hackney have been given a strong warning after bogus inspectors have been targeting the borough.

Hackney Council are warning those who run cafes and restaurants to be on the alert for fraudsters, who claim they are from the Food Standards Agency.

One restaurant in Hackney, which cannot be named for legal reasons, has already fallen foul of the bogus callers who faked their identities as Food Standards Inspectors.

The restaurant did not discover the truth until after the owner had paid a “fine”.

Several other restaurants received fake “fixed penalties” from the charlatans but then took the step of contacting the authorities.

These food fraudsters are claiming to be carrying out inspections; they then con large amounts of money from proprieters in the form of a “ fixed penalty fee” for finding the premises unhygienic. 

Hackney Council is warning all those in the food industry that the Food Standards Agency do not carry out food inspections or hand out fines for breaches of food safety.

All food inspections in the borough of Hackney are carried out by authorised Hackney Council Environmental Health Inspectors who will carry Council ID whenever they visit a food business.

Hackney Council said that no inspector will demand an on-the-spot payment and they do not handle money.

Cllr Alan Laing, Member for Neighbourhoods said: “We are trying to catch those responsible for ripping off restaurants and cafes in Hackney, but in the meantime we are asking all Hackney’s food shops, restaurants and cafés to be on the alert for food fraudsters.

“If your food business is visited by anyone claiming to be from the Food Standards Agency, it’s important to remember not to part with any money. The first thing to do is contact the police and then to advise Environmental Health at Hackney Council.”

For more information on Food Inspections, contact Environmental Health on 020 8356 4911.