Council issues warning following food safety prosecution
10th January 2019
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is warning people of the potential criminal consequences of placing food on the market unfit for human consumption following a recent successful prosecution in Enniskillen Magistrate’s Court.
In 2017, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Environmental Health officials and the PSNI carried out a joint investigation at a property on the Annaghalough Road, Kesh, under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended) where four beef quarters and one deer carcass were found in unhygienic circumstances. The beef quarters and deer carcass were seized and subsequently condemned as unfit for human consumption.
The defendant in control of the beef and deer pleaded guilty at Enniskillen Magistrate’s Court to placing beef and venison on the market which had not been prepared and handled in an establishment meeting food safety regulations and which was unsafe for human consumption.
The defendant also pleaded guilty for failing to have in place systems and procedures to identify where the food had been sourced from.
Fines totalling £500 were imposed on the defendant.
Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said:
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council operates a rigorous enforcement policy when investigating offences under food safety legislation and works closely with partner agencies to act accordingly in the interest of protecting public health.”
PSNI Wildlife Liaison Officer, Emma Meredith, said:
“This is a good example of agencies working together, and we were pleased to work collaboratively with our colleagues in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.”
PSNI Sgt. Brian Balfour said:
“Police were pleased to assist in this investigation brought forward by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council inspects and works with food businesses to ensure that food and drink manufactured and sold within the District is safe for consumption and meets all statutory standards. Complaints or concerns regarding a food business or a product purchased from a business should be made to the Council’s Environmental Health service by telephoning 0300 303 1777, text phone 028 8225 6216 or email eh@fermanaghomagh.com.