Dirty bakery put customers' health at risk

A Morrisons supermarket has been fined £737,000 after inspectors discovered serious hygiene failings in its in-store bakery that were said to have put customers’ health at risk.

Environmental health officers visited the supermarket in Cwmbran, south Wales, two years ago and ordered the bakery to close immediately for a deep clean after uncovering widespread cleanliness and food safety concerns.

Inspectors reported dirty equipment, poor cleaning standards, inadequate staff supervision and failures in food safety management procedures. Floors were reportedly covered in thick grime, while trays, bowls, weighing equipment and doughnut-filling machines were all found to be unclean. Ovens, shelves, preparation tables and door handles were also said to be coated with dirt, flour and food debris.

Morrisons admitted four breaches of the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006 at Newport Magistrates’ Court.

The retailer was fined £737,000, reduced from £1.1 million due to an early guilty plea, and ordered to pay £11,221.38 in costs along with a £2,000 surcharge.

District Judge Sophie Toms said the case involved “serious and systemic failures” rather than the actions of a small number of employees.

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds told the court the bakery’s cleaning standards fell “well below” what would be expected in a food preparation environment.

Torfaen council said officers identified 51 failings in the store’s food safety management system, issues management had allegedly known about for more than a month before the inspection.

Daniel Morelli, the council’s head of public protection and environment, said authorities would take formal action where consumer health was put at risk.

A Morrisons spokesperson said the company was “very disappointed” by the bakery’s condition and described it as an isolated local issue that was addressed immediately in cooperation with the council. 

The supermarket added that improvements had since been maintained.

This article is for general information and interest purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent the views of HCB.