Chepstow restaurant prosecuted for food hygiene offences

A Chepstow restaurant, the Afon Gwy, was fined £400 plus £1500 costs for keeping food past its sell-by date and for having dirty equipment.

The case was heard at Abertillery Magistrates Court last week (28th January 2010).

The operator, Mr Craig Anthony Worthy, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006, the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 and the Food Safety Act 1990.

Mr Ioan Gealy, prosecuting for Monmouthshire County Council, told the court that during a routine inspection on 25th November 2009, a council officer found large quantities of unfit food, food past its' ‘use-by' date and various items of equipment in a filthy condition.

He said:

"The officer was horrified to find large quantities of foods with extensive mould growth in the refrigerators, some of which could not be identified by the chef concerned.

"Many other foods were found with expired ‘use-by' dates, one of which had expired on 17th April 2009 - 7 months prior to the inspection.

"All unfit food was disposed of at the time of the inspection to prevent any further risk, and arrangements agreed with Mr Worthy to ensure an immediate improvement in standards."

County Councillor Eric Saxon, Cabinet Member for regulatory services, said:

"Our Environmental Health Officers work with businesses to help them meet legal requirements to ensure food produced is safe.

"It appears that the current financial climate is putting excess pressure on food businesses to cut corners.

"However, if businesses do not maintain adequate standards of cleanliness and fail to implement the necessary food safety controls, food safety may be put at risk and enforcement action has to be taken, with a high cost to the business involved".

If businesses require any advice on food safety legislation they should contact their local environmental health department. Food businesses in Monmouthshire should telephone 01633 644100.