Morrisons has been fined a total of £750,000 following a damning inspection of its bakery at the Cwmbran branch. Originally set at £1.1 million, the fine was reduced to £737,000 due to an early guilty plea. Additional costs include £11,221.38 in court expenses and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
The violations were uncovered during a routine inspection in August 2024 by environmental health officers from Torfaen Council. Inspectors discovered serious breaches of food safety regulations, including poor cleanliness, dirty equipment, lack of adequate staff supervision, and failures in food safety management.
A total of 51 flaws were identified in the bakery’s food safety processes—issues that Morrisons had been aware of for over a month prior to the inspection. The bakery was immediately closed to undergo deep cleaning.
READ MORE: DWP Boosts State Pensioners' Benefits by £344 Every Four Weeks – Full Details
READ MORE: Prince William’s Dance Moves, McGinn’s Sun Cream Joke, and Aston Villa’s Dominant Display over Nottingham Forest
Lee Reynolds, prosecuting at Newport Magistrates Court, detailed the appalling conditions observed on the morning of August 2, 2024. Surfaces and equipment were found to be “well below” the expected hygiene standards, with grime on the floor measuring approximately a quarter of an inch thick. The bakery area was also “cluttered and generally disorganized,” obstructing effective cleaning and disinfection.
Daniel Morelli, public protection chief at Torfaen Council, emphasized the critical role of environmental health officers in safeguarding public health. He noted that while the council prefers an educative approach with businesses, formal action is swiftly taken when consumer health is jeopardized.
In response, Morrisons issued a statement expressing disappointment over the bakery’s condition, describing it as a “single local issue” that has been promptly rectified. The supermarket assured customers that the improvements have been consistently maintained since the incident.