An Indian restaurant has been awarded Ealing Council’s High Five award in recognition for making a dramatic improvement to its food safety standards.
The latest recipient of the award is Shahi Haweli an Indian restaurant, in South Road, Southall, which now holds the highest possible hygiene rating of 5 stars. The award was created by the council to recognise local businesses who were found to be not fully compliant with food safety and hygiene standards but have now significantly improved them.
Raising standards
The restaurant received its first food hygiene inspection in March 2024, shortly after opening. As a new business navigating UK food safety legislation for the first time, it struggled to meet the necessary standards and was rated as non-compliant.
To help the restaurant raise its standards, the council provided the restaurant with support, including staff training, detailed written guidance, bespoke food safety tools, and multiple follow‑up visits. The end result was a top 5‑star rating.
Helping businesses thrive
The council created a food safety advisory service in 2023, in response to the challenges that local food businesses were experiencing. The service is funded by The UK Shared Prosperity Fund and has been helping food businesses across the borough, particularly in Southall. The service supports businesses to meet their legal food hygiene responsibilities.
The food safety advisors educate businesses on safe temperatures, labelling requirements, checks, controls, and legal requirements in food hygiene – all the things that are assessed during a food inspection.
Since July 2023, more around 800 food businesses in the borough have benefited from the council’s service. This has resulted in many of them improving their food hygiene score.
A model for local businesses
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Huge congratulations to Shahi Haweli which has been awarded the council’s High Five award after raising its food hygiene rating from 1 star to 5 stars.
“Their achievement shows how effective the advisory service can be in helping Southall businesses strengthen their food safety management, setting a strong example for other businesses.”
For more information on food safety, visit the council’s website.
