Bolton Council has secured a substantial fine against a food business operator for two food safety offences.
Mr Peter Martindale, the operator of AMKO- Martindale Foods at Halliwell Mills, Raglan St, Bolton pleaded guilty to the offences.
AMKO- Martindale Foods manufacture rendered animal fats such as beef dripping, beef suet and goose fat as well as various powdered glazes for meat and a range of dry products.
The offences relate to failure to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice issued by Bolton Council’s Food and Health & Safety Team and failure to ensure that people employed involved in developing food safety management procedures had received adequate training.
In 2015, Bolton Council served three Hygiene Improvement Notices against AMKO-Martindale Foods.
Mr Martindale appealed these notices to the Magistrates Court and following proceedings, a Consent Order was signed in April 2016.
The effect of this order was that one notice was complied with, a notice requiring the training in food safety management procedures for a member of staff working at the premises was modified with an extended date for compliance of 28th July 2016 and a third notice requiring training in food safety management procedures was cancelled.
Despite having signed the Consent Order, Mr Martindale failed to comply with the notice and the training was not provided.
Mr Martindale was fined £315 for each offence with a victim surcharge of £63 and was also ordered to pay the council’s costs of £5473.63 in full.
Councillor Nick Peel, Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said:
“Ensuring all food businesses in the borough operate safely and take their responsibilities seriously continues to be a priority for the Council.
AMKO-Martindale failed to provide adequate food hygiene training for its staff, putting the customers who bought its products at risk.
We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which demonstrates the importance of food operators ensuring all of their staff are properly trained.
We will continue to pursue all non-compliant businesses through the courts to ensure that public safety is protected.”