The owner of a filling station in Lurgan has been fined £1050 for a series of charges related to food safety.
In a case brought by Environmental Health Officers from Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council, Ernie Magowan the owner of Lurgan Filling Station, 17 Portadown Road pleaded guilty to six charges.
The charges included; placing unsafe food on the market; keeping food likely to support growth of pathogenic micro-organisms above temperature requirements; keeping hot food below the required temperature; failing to implement a food safety management system; providing inadequate food safety training for staff and failed to establish, maintain and provide evidence of an appropriate food safety culture.
Welcoming the prosecution, a spokesperson for ABC Council said: “This case outlines the serious consequences for businesses failing to comply with their responsibilities under food hygiene regulations.
“Our team of Environmental Health Officers carry out regular inspections of all food businesses to ensure consumers are protected at all times.”
They added: “We aim to work with businesses providing guidance and support, but when and where we find failings, we will take appropriate action which may include prosecution and court-imposed fines.”
ABC Council’s Environmental Health Department Food Team helps to protect consumers by; investigating complaints; carrying out inspections and awarding food hygiene ratings, sampling and testing foods; providing advice and support to businesses.
Anyone operating a food business must be registered with by the Environmental Health Department. Consumers can check food hygiene ratings of food businesses by visiting www.food.gov.uk
For further information and advice on food safety – please visit https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/food-safety/
