Court fines Littlehampton-based butcher for food safety breach

A MOBILE butcher who operates in Littlehampton has been fined £2,100 for breaching food safety standards.

On Wednesday, July 23, Jeremy Ireland, of I & J Meats, pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 at Worthing Magistrates’ Court.

Ireland, who runs the mobile butchers in Littlehampton High Street and Bognor, was also ordered to pay costs of £1,525.81 and a victim surcharge of £30, giving a total of £3,665.81.

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The case followed an inspection by an Arun District Council food safety officer in September, 2013.

During that inspection, the officer found unrefrigerated fresh meat in direct sunlight, further raw meat which was not under temperature control and which was in direct contact with ready-to-eat foods, Arun said.

The same equipment was being used for both raw meat and ready-to-eat foods. There was no hot water for either hand washing or washing up equipment.

Councillor Terence Chapman, cabinet member for the environment, said: “The public’s health is of the utmost importance to us as is supporting local business and we are working with Mr Ireland to ensure the food he offers for sale is prepared and stored in the correct manner.”

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Since the offences, a senior food safety officer has worked closely with the business to ensure the correct steps were taken to reduce the risk and significant improvements have been made. For details on how hygienic food businesses are, see www.food.gov.uk/ratings

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