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Newport company prosecuted over breaches of food hygiene (27 June 2016)

Date: 27/06/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Newport company prosecuted over breaches of food hygiene

Newport City Council in South Wales has prosecuted a food company, after produce found on its premises sparked a food alert.

In December 2013, an investigation was carried out at Severnside Provisions on the Leeway Industrial Estate, after information was received from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Newport environmental health officers found large quantities of turkey defrosting in dirty water in the yard of the premises – and the meat was also being processed in unhygienic conditions inside a garage.

The produce found at the premises was seized and destroyed. However, some of the turkey had already been sold to butchers' shops, restaurants and other outlets, so a national recall was instigated by the FSA.

Severnside Provisions Ltd director Anthony O'Sullivan, 47, of Old Hill in Newport – and manager Martin Lincoln, 56, of Amelia Way in Newport – were both accused of selling food that was unsafe, as well as 11 other breaches of the food hygiene laws.

They pleaded guilty to all 12 offences when they appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates Court, who sent them to crown court for sentencing.

At Newport Crown Court, the company was fined £100,000 – while O'Sullivan and Lincoln were given jail sentences of 24 weeks each.

They were ordered to pay a confiscation award of £271,815 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, along with council costs of £35,185.

Both O'Sullivan and Lincoln were warned in 2010 that turkey processing was not permitted by their company.

However, records showed that large quantities of turkeys were sold by Severnside Provisions in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

After sentencing, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions, Councillor Bob Poole, said:

“This is a satisfactory conclusion to what was a very worrying situation – this company was putting people's health at serious risk for the sake of profit.

“I would like to thank the environmental health and legal officers who investigated and brought this successful prosecution.

“I know that the majority of food producers and sellers have extremely high standards – and I'm sure they share our dismay at firms who don't take the same care.

“I hope this case sends out the message that the council, the courts and the public take food safety very seriously – and we will take action against those who don't.”

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Successful prosecution following food safety alert
Posted on Friday 17th June 2016


Newport City Council has successfully prosecuted a company after produce found on its premises sparked a food alert.
An investigation was carried out at Severnside Provisions on the Leeway Industrial Estate
in December 2013 after information was received from the Food Standards Agency.
Newport environmental health officers found large quantities of turkey defrosting outside in dirty water in the yard of the premises and being processed in a garage in unhygienic conditions.
The items found at the premises were seized and destroyed. However, some of the turkey had already been sold to butchers' shops, restaurants and other outlets so a national recall was instigated by the Food Standards Agency.
Severnside Provisions Ltd director Anthony O'Sullivan, aged 47, of Old Hill, Newport, and manager Martin Lincoln, aged 56, of Amelia Way, Newport, were both accused of selling food that was unsafe and 11 other breaches of the food hygiene laws.
They pleaded guilty to all 12 offences last month when they appeared before Cwmbran magistrates who sent them to crown court for sentencing.
At Newport Crown Court today, the company was fined £100,000 while O'Sullivan and Lincoln were given jail sentences of 24 weeks each. They were ordered to pay a confiscation award of £271,815 under the Proceeds of Crime Act along with council costs of £35,185.
An investigation was carried out at Severnside Provisions on the Leeway Industrial Estate
in December 2013 after the Food Standards Agency contacted the council with information it had received.
Both O'Sullivan and Lincoln were warned in 2010 that turkey processing was not permitted by their company. However, records showed that large quantities of turkeys were sold by Severnside Provisions in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Councillor Bob Poole, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions, said: "This is a satisfactory conclusion to what was a very worrying situation. This company was putting people's health at serious risk for the sake of profit.
"I would like to thank the environmental health and legal officers who investigated and brought this successful prosecution. I know that the majority of food producers and sellers have extremely high standards and I'm sure they share our dismay at firms who don't take the same care.
"I hope this case sends out the message that the council, the courts and the public take food safety very seriously and we will take action against those who don't."

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