Market overrun with vermin refused to close

A food outlet which was ordered to close because it was overrun with vermin and insects, has been fined for flouting the order and continuing to operate.

The owners of T&A Food Market in Avondale, Auckland, were fined for continuing to operate after a notice of closure was issued.

The Auckland District Court ordered both owners to pay fines of $3000 each for breaching three sections of the Local Government Act by continuing to trade after Auckland City had ordered the premises be closed.

Auckland City issued a notice to close the market in March until the premises reach an acceptable hygiene standard.

Among the offences council officers found were that the owners had failed to rid the premises of vermin, neglected to keep the premises free of insects, failed to comply with food hygiene regulations, and used the food room as a sleeping area.

In addition, the owners were this year each fined $1100 for the offences.

The council's senior environmental health officer Darryl Thompson said the court's decision sent a clear message about the importance of meeting food hygiene standards.

"This conviction serves as a warning to others that it is unacceptable to disregard food safety matters," he said.

The operators blatantly disregarded the requirements of the Local Government Act and deliberately continued to flout the law and now they have paid the price, he said.

Mr Thompson said Auckland City had no tolerance for food outlets who put their customers health at risk by following poor food hygiene practices.

- NZPA