The Northern Ireland potato business was fined for five offences, and was given a conditional discharge for a sixth offence, requiring continued compliance with food safety law for two more years.
Glenview Foods was also charged for not disinfecting all equipment and areas that came into contact with food. The company was given improvement notices prior to the charge.
‘Pest control’
Owner of the company Raymond Todd was fined after Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council brought the case to Coleraine Magistrates Court. Mayor of the council Alderman Maura Hickey warned food and drink companies that failure to comply with food safety law would result in legal action.
“Officers from the food safety team work with businesses in the Borough providing advice and guidance,” said Todd. “We also strive to protect public health in ensuring that anyone consuming food produced by businesses within the borough is not exposed to any risk to their health.
‘Formal action will be taken’
Recent food safety offences
- Catermix fined £40,000 for supplying tikka spice containing salmonella
- Asda home delivery vans found to have low levels of hygiene after BBC show
- Owner of sandwich firm Deli Sensi was prosecuted for 17 offences including a rat infestation
“Businesses have a duty to comply with relevant food safety legislation and where they fail to comply formal action will be taken.”
Glenview Foods is a family firm that claimed to “supply the best frying potato in Northern Ireland”. It delivers peeled potatoes and chips to catering firms within a 50 mile radius.
Meanwhile, ingredients firm Catermix was fined £40,000 for supplying tikka spice containing salmonella. The firm was mixing its spices in the back of a “dirty” van with an old carpet on the floor. The product was also being stored in a “dirty and damp” garage.
Glenview Foods's five food safety offences
- Failure to keep the premises clean and maintained in good repair and condition
- Failure to permit good food hygiene practices, namely implementation of adequate pest control
- Failure to effectively clean and, where necessary, disinfect all articles, fittings and equipment with which food comes into contact
- Failure to put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on the hazard analysis critical control points principles
- Failed to comply with improvement notices