In West Yorkshire, the owners of a sausage company (B&L Sausages Ltd in 2012) could be put in gaol after breaching a very dangerous food safety guidelines in their production process. Mr Brian Wainwright and his wife Lorraine are due to be at Bradford Crown Court over breaches of food hygiene and food safety regulations as a result of the ‘appalling’ conditions at the Mixenden barn.
The case was not fully opened to Judge Colin Burn, prosecutor Howard Shaw reminded the court of the severity of the issue at hand. Though no case of food poisoning was reported, the state of the barn required immediate attention of the authorities. 14 allegations were made, including one which related to the inadequate procedure in preventing pests and domestic animals from accessing the food during the process of preparation, handling and storage.
Other food safety offenses commited by the Wainwrights include holding unsafe food for sale purpose, failing to ensure a clean and well maintained food premises, failing to store raw materials and ingredients in appropriate conditions and failing to properly dispose of food waste.
Judge Burn has currently adjourned the sentence until June 2 but he warned Wainwright that the case is of a serious nature and one option was a custodial sentence.
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