Fast food company KFC has been ordered to pay almost £42,000 by magistrates after selling undercooked chicken to an unsuspecting customer in Blackwood.
Newport Magistrates’ Court was told how the customer had bought a three-piece chicken meal at KFC’s drive thru on Blackwood Retail Park, in February last year. When he started to eat the meal the man realised the chicken had not been cooked thoroughly and complained to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environmental health team who decided to prosecute.
Tests showed that the chicken was undercooked and that further visits to the restaurant by the council and assessment of documentation provided by the company revealed failures in the company’s procedures.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (GB) Ltd denied two charges under the General Food Regulations 2004 and the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations. After a three-day trial, which ended on Friday, July 13, the company, which is based in Surrey, was found guilty.
District Judge Gary Lucie highlighted numerous issues with KFC procedures, including failure to implement correct staff training procedures and a lack of documented checks on oil levels in the pressure fryer.
The company was ordered to pay a fine of £35,000, prosecution costs of £6,122, a £170 victim surcharge, and £500 compensation to the customer who bought the chicken.
Since the incident in February last year, the Blackwood restaurant has undergone extensive refurbishment, been sold and is now owned and run by a franchisee rather than by KFC directly.
Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Protection said: “Our Environmental Health Officers conducted a thorough investigation and secured a successful outcome in order to protect consumers and public health.”
A KFC spokesman said: “We have robust policies and procedures relating to our food, so we’re really disappointed with the outcome of this hearing.
“We take food hygiene and safety very seriously, which is reflected in the fact that 99% of our restaurants nationwide have a four or five-star hygiene rating from the Food Standards Authority. That includes our Blackwood restaurant, which holds a five-star rating.”
not the first time for blackwood..disgusting place..bunch of muppets
Perhaps this large fine will focus KFC’s attention and ensure food is cooked safely and properly in future.
Not my kind of place to eat because thy have low standards. Surely these people know when food is cooked and when its not.