Takeaway fined for serving beetle larva kebabs

The owner of an Edinburgh takeaway has been fined £1350 for serving kebabs containing cooked beetle larva.



Hasan Gundogdu, who runs The Olimpos Takeaway on Elm Row, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to three charges relating to breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Food safety officers inspected the premises following a complaint from a member of the public. They uncovered mouse droppings throughout the premises, with concentrated numbers in the preparation room and basement, as well as dead and live beetle larvae.



Staff from Edinburgh Scientific Service also confirmed larvae had been cooked at the takeaway. Mr Gundogdu said the inspection was sparked from one customer complaint and that he had taken steps to improve food safety procedures. "Now everything is OK," he said.