Mellington Hall’s big fine for food offences

Unfit food, poor standards of cleanliness, food past its use by date, flies and a lack of food safety management procedures - some of the conditions found when Powys County Council Environmental Health Officers carried out an unannounced inspection of Mellington Hall Hotel, Churchstoke in July 2010.

 

Welshpool Magistrates heard today how an unannounced inspection of Mellington Hall Hotel (left) uncovered a number of food hygiene offences, including failure to keep the food premises clean and maintained in good repair, and a failure to protect food from contamination.

 

During the course of the inspection officers found mouldy foods stored in the refrigerators along with food which had past its use-by date. Chilled foods were found being kept at room temperature in the kitchen and foods were being stored uncovered on the floor of the chillers.

 

A significant fly infestation was noted by the Officers, who witnessed flies landing on food preparation surfaces and on open foods that had been left uncovered in the kitchen.

 

The Magistrates heard how the environmental health officers found a lack of formal food safety management procedures. The operators of the business were not maintaining the necessary records to show that foods had been properly cooked, and the stock control system was inadequate, with the shelf life of chilled foods being extended passed the recommended three to four days to up to 10 days.

 

As a result of the conditions found, the food business operators offered to close the premises to carry out a thorough deep clean and to dispose of the unfit food.

 

Magistrates were asked to take into consideration further hygiene offences witnessed during a recent unannounced routine visit in January 2011, where further unfit food was found.

 

In court, Mr Lance and Mrs Vanessa Thomas pleaded guilty to eight offences. They were fined a total of £6,750 and were ordered to pay costs of £ 1007.59p and a victim surcharge of £15.

 

Cllr Graham Brown, Board Member for Public Protection, welcomed today's verdict and said: "Premises that prepare and serve food to the public have a responsibility to ensure that their premises comply with food hygiene legislation. In this instance, the required standards were not met and the action taken by the Environmental Health Officers reflects the severity of the conditions found.

 

"All food business operators should take notice of the penalties they may face when they do not comply with food hygiene legislation."