Some pretty large fines for Island food firm. This just in from the Council. Ed
A food supplier based on the Isle of Wight has been fined almost £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of over £1,400 for breaching the food hygiene regulations.
The owner of Hamilton’s Fine Foods, Robin Anderson Gustar, pleaded guilty to six food hygiene offences at a hearing in Newport (IOW) Magistrates Court on Tuesday 24 August.
Of the offences, two related to failing to protect food from contamination, two were for failing to have sufficient controls in place during the production and distribution of food, one was for an unclean premises and one was for failing to adequately train and supervise staff.
The charges were brought following routine hygiene inspections carried out by IW Council’s Environmental Health Team on 4 November 2009 at Hamilton’s Fine Foods shop in Wootton and a visit to its Cowes shop on 10 December 2009.
Hefty fines
Robin Gustar of Hamilton’s Fine Foods was fined £1,300 for each offence – £7,800 in total – and ordered to pay IW Council costs of £1,422 and a £15 victim surcharge.
Isle of Wight Council’s Environmental Health Manager, Amanda Gregory said: “Food companies on the Isle of Wight have a duty to ensure they maintain high standards of hygiene, whether that be on the shop floor or during the preparation and distribution of food.
“They also have a duty to ensure their staff are well trained and supervised. This successful prosecution demonstrates we will take legal action against any firm who we feel is not maintaining these standards”
Following the hygiene offences being identified, immediate action was taken by the business to address the concerns. Both premises now meet the hygiene standards required in relation to the areas that were the subject of the prosecution.
Wootton and Cowes premises only
The prosecution is only in relation to Hamilton’s Fine Foods outlets in Wootton and Cowes and did not involve the firm’s other premises across the Island.
Robin Gustar was represented by Keith Verrinder of Roach Pittis Solicitors.
