'Health risk' meat seller closed

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Council officials have confiscated 2,500 hamburgers and sausages and shut down the fast food van selling them in Edinburgh's city centre.

The unlicensed trader was discovered by police officers working with environmental wardens.

The meat, being sold at the corner of Princes Street and South St David's Street, was found to pose a risk to public health and was destroyed.

The trader also had no hand-washing facilities.

The sausages and burgers were partially or fully defrosted and had been kept in the back of a van for two days.

Public health

An investigation is now ongoing across the country to identify the food business operator and the owner of the food.

Edinburgh City Council officials described the discovery as "serious breaches of hygiene legislation" and hope to take the matter to court.

Councillor Sheila Gilmore, executive member for community safety and housing, said: "Our officers acted promptly to remove the risk to public health posed by these unlicensed street traders and their blatant disregard for basic food hygiene and safety standards."

The food was discovered on 16 December.

The raid by officers from the council's services for communities and Lothian and Borders Police was part of the Safer City Centre Winter Initiative.

It is designed to tackle festive disorder and public safety issues.