Although perhaps not the biggest news story to have emerged on November 9th, the £3,000 fine imposed
on potato processing business Glenview Foods by Coleraine Magistrates Court
last Wednesday was nonetheless a significant event in the world of food
manufacturing.
The case was brought against the company, based in Northern
Ireland, by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. In total, company owner
Raymond Todd pleaded guilty to six offences, including lapses in standards
relating to cleanliness and pest control.
The Ballymoney and Moyle Times notes that, although six offences were pleaded to, only
five were met with fines. The fined offences were:
- Premises found not to have been kept in a state of good, clean repair.
- Inadequate pest control.
- The articles, fittings and equipment which come into contact with food were found not to have been effectively disinfected and cleaned.
- HACCP principles were found not to have been properly installed, implemented and maintained.
- Improvement notices were not complied with.
Council mayor, Alderman Maura Hickey, said in an interview
that the council strives ‘to protect public health in ensuring that anyone
consuming food produced by businesses within the borough is not exposed to any
risk to their health. Businesses have a duty to comply with relevant food
safety legislation and where they fail to comply, formal action will be taken.’
Glenview Foods, which delivers widely
between Londonderry to Belfast, produces peeled whole potatoes, chips, wedged,
sautéed and diced potatoes. Its website claims: ‘our family have
over 70 years’ experience growing potatoes’ and uses ‘specialist agronomy’ to
enable them to grow ‘the best frying potato in Northern Ireland.’
Ten years ago, the potato industry in Northern Ireland was
ailing, according to PotatoGrower magazine. This year saw unusually late planting dates in parts of
Northern Ireland have led to late harvests – although farm manager Derek Keogh claims
that yields have been fairly steady, while prices for home-grown potatoes ‘have
held up well this year.’
James Stannard
James has a Bachelor’s degree in History and
wrote his dissertation on beef and protest. His heroes list ranges from Adele
to Noam Chomsky: inspirations he’ll be invoking next year when he begins a
Master’s degree in London.
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