Food Safety

A café owner has been given a four-week curfew following a prosecution for food hygiene offences.

The owner was banned from leaving his home between 8pm and 6am at Blackpool magistrates’ court. He pleaded guilty to three food hygiene offences and seven food labelling offences.

Fylde Council Environmental Health Officers inspected his premises in November 2009, and discovered high-risk foods such as cheese, coleslaw, pre-packaged salads and gammon were being displayed beyond their use by dates. High-risk food was also found to be on sale stored at a temperature above the required 8C.

No hot water was available for hand washing and cleaning equipment, and no soap was available at the hand wash basins.

Although the owner provided a documented food safety management system, it had not been satisfactorily implemented.

Magistrates imposed a curfew after hearing the business was suffering badly in the current poor economic climate. The offences were above the threshold at which community service orders could be imposed.

A cabinet member for social wellbeing, said: ‘Responsibility for correct implementation of documented food safety management rests firmly with the operators of food businesses.

‘The protection of public health is paramount for residents and the many visitors to the area. Action will be taken where this is not heeded.’