Supermarket prosecuted for food safety offences

A zero-tolerance policy on breaches of food safety laws in Neath Port Talbot has resulted in a supermarket being hit with fines totalling £12,000.

The Council prosecuted Gwaun-cae-Gurwen branch of CKs Supermarket Ltd following an inspection in July 2008.

The Environmental Health team were alerted to the failings following a complaint from a member of the public.

Supermarket manager Franklyn Fairclough pleaded guilty to six offences on behalf of CKs Supermarket Ltd at Neath Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 23.

Justices were told that following the inspection last year it was discovered that the store was not kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition, equipment and fittings were not adequately cleaned and a system to prevent cross contamination and ensure that food unfit for human consumption was not sold to the public was not in place.

They were also told by Council prosecutor Iwan Davies that an adequate food safety management system was not implemented and that staff had not received adequate food safety training.

Defence barrister Craig Jones said since the inspection staff had received food safety training from a reputable company and the store had been cleaned by a specialist company. He also indicated that consultants had been employed to develop a food safety management system.

Magistrates fined the stores a total of £12,000 with costs of £1,172.42 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas said: "The authority takes breaches of food safety laws extremely seriously and will use the full force of the law to bring those who flout these laws to justice," he said. "The Environmental Health team will investigate thoroughly any complaints received by the public.

"Maintaining good food hygiene practices is of paramount importance to limit the outbreaks of food poisoning.

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