A Weston-super-Mare shopkeeper has been fined more than £10,000 after being found guilty of multiple food hygiene offences involving unsanitary food handling practices.
Binu Chacko, the owner of Central News and Food in the town centre, admitted to ten breaches of food hygiene regulations at North Somerset Magistrates' Court last month. The offences date back to April of the previous year when a meat and fish delivery was stored under unhygienic conditions behind the shop.
North Somerset Council, which prosecuted the case, revealed that Mr Chacko used a dirty, rusty knife to cut meat and fish products served to customers. In addition, his premises lacked proper handwashing facilities and failed to maintain required food storage temperatures. The investigation also uncovered that the origins of some food items could not be verified, further breaching hygiene standards.
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Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member for regulatory services, stressed the importance of maintaining strict food hygiene standards to protect public health. “Handling food in these unsanitary conditions is unacceptable and endangers both customers and the community at large,” he said. “The council is committed to taking decisive action against food safety violations to safeguard residents and visitors.”
At the hearing on December 10, Mr Chacko was initially fined £4,154, which was reduced to £2,769 due to an early guilty plea. However, he was also ordered to pay full court costs of £6,627.62 and a victim surcharge of £1,108, bringing the total penalty to £10,504.62.
Members of the public concerned about food safety violations can report them confidentially to the Food Standards Agency via their online platform or hotline.