Dead flies and dirt: Mid Wales tourist attraction fined over £13,000 for food hygiene breaches

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth, in Mid Wales, pleaded guilty to 10 food hygiene offences at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court earlier this week.

It followed an inspection back in September 2016, which led to a zero rating for the centre’s cafe.

Powys County Council’s Environmental Team Team noted the centre had failed to keep food premises clean, failed to keep equipment in good repair, failed to protect food ingredients, and had been placing food on the market that was unfit for consumption.

The findings came from a routine food hygiene inspection, with standards found to be unacceptable, according to inspectors.

The court heard on Wednesday how, throughout the inspection, flies were seen landing on surfaces, and dead flies were found in the ready to eat salad dressing, which had been stored in the food handling area, and was unfit for human consumption.

Dirt, grease and food debris were noted throughout the kitchen on the floor coverings, wall coverings, on storage shelving, undersides of food preparation surfaces, an extraction canopy and the equipment washing area. The structure of the walk-in chiller was also found to be in a dirty condition.

The court heard how food ingredients had not been adequately protected from contamination.

Food ingredients were found stored in open packets despite there being flies in the kitchen. Foods were also found stored directly on the floor while raw ingredients and ready-to-eat foods were stored together. Councillor Jonathan Wilkinson, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, warned other business they would be prosecuted if they did not comply with regulations.

He said: “Food businesses that prepare and serve food to the public have a responsibility to ensure their premises comply with food hygiene regulations. In this instance, the Centre for Alternative Technology did not meet the required standards, which fell well below acceptable levels.

“The action taken by our environmental health officers reflects the severity of the conditions found and the potential risk to health.

“All food business operators in the county should take note of the penalties they may face when they do not comply with food hygiene regulations.”

“I would like to remind members of the public to check Food Hygiene Ratings before choosing where to eat out or to buy food from.”

The centre, which demonstrates practical solutions for sustainability, covering all parts of green living, was fined £13,000 for 10 offences, and also ordered to pay £1,596 prosecution costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

A spokesman for the centre said improvements were made and the cafe now had a level three rating, adding: “This court case relates to an inspection that took place in September 2016, which led to a zero rating for our cafe.

“We immediately set about making improvements, acting decisively to address each issue raised by Environmental Health.

"As a result, we have since been awarded a level three rating, and are continuing to work on improving this with a view to gaining a top rating.”